Mid Summer Sports
It is July. It has been hot, muggy, humid and thunderstorm ridden so far, but that is to be expected here in the Ohio Valley. We have awakened to several mornings in a row where the river has us fogged in until after nine or so. Personally, I love the heat but know I am in the minority with most folks looking for some cooling shade on the front porch or better yet air-conditioned inside spaces.
July also brings some traditional sport happenings with it, too. MLB’s All-Star Game will take place July 19th at Dodger Stadium. Voting has been happening since late June with this year’s results split into two phases. Phase 1 ended last month with fans selecting their favorites. Now Phase 2 will begin with fans choosing between the top two vote getters at each position or the top 6 for the outfield. The winners of Phase 2 will be the starters for the game.
As an event, the Midsummer Classic as it is often called, is a good opportunity for players to take some time off and have a little fun before getting ready for the exhausting second half of the season race toward postseason play. To be honest, it isnát my favorite, but I have always enjoyed watching the Home-Run Derby the night before. It was a tradition for my son and I to watch it together when he was growing up. There is something great about watching athletes push the limits of their abilities and swing like Babe Ruth. It makes for some enjoyable T.V. watching! Check out this slugfest on ESPN on the 18th beginning at 8:00.
July also reminds me of my younger days when I played slow-pitch softball with some other local athletes way back in the 70ás. We would travel all over the valley playing different teams, but often had a hard time getting past the Castle-Club in Moundsville managed by the well-known P.I. Drake.
Today, July offers kids many opportunities to improve their skills in the summer. All sports now have a three-week open period in June with flex days if needed to practice and play during the summer months. The SSAC has recently implemented this time slot so kids can have exposure to their coaches without going three months in between sports. In addition to the traditional weight room for all sports, summer now offers the opportunity for competition.
Tyler Consolidated basketball has participated in the Williamstown Summer League as well as two shootout tournaments, one at Tyler Consolidated with 20 teams participating and the other at Williamstown High School with a 10-team single elimination tournament. Tyler girlsá basketball participated in similar tournaments this summer.
On the football side of things, all our local schools have been taking advantage of the three-week summer window to put in their offensive and defensive schemes for the upcoming fall season. The teams have also been participating in 7 on 7 competition versus other schools.
High school baseball is enjoying their summer with many local athletes participating in American Legion baseball the Silver Stars, which is a local Tyler County baseball team featuring players from different surrounding schools. Other athletes are playing in different âtravel team baseball organizations’ from across the state and Pennsylvania. Some players are traveling across the Eastern US to play in Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Indiana and Georgia.
Volleyball is just as active as local teams have been playing in tournaments. Tyler Consolidated will be hosting their annual volleyball camp in July with many different athletes joining the camp from across the state and tri-state region.
Closing out the column this week is the reminder about Picnic in the Park coming up Sunday, July 10th at the Sistersville Park and Pool beginning at noon. This year this wonderful civic event is in memory of the late Carmen Silliman, a long-time member and supporter of the Sistersville Community Service Organization, who sponsor the activities each year.
The traditional flag raising ceremony will begin at 1:30 with Dan Henthorn singing the National Anthem. Other activities include free swimming all day at the Sistersville Pool, free music under the shelter with Henrie Lane from 2:00 until 4:00 and the Sarah Hayes Band on the pool stage from 7:00 to 9:30, Ian the Balloon Man from 4:00 until 6:30, crafters, rock climbing wall and local Celebrity Artist Vincent Myrand will be on hand as well. The newly updated concession stand under the large shelter will be open for your festival food purchases, and the Sistersville IGA is donating free cake and ice cream. And the highlight of the day will be the gigantic Zambelli fireworks salute show that will lit up the night sky at 9:30. Mark your calendars, bring a lawn chair and plan on joining the fun!