Johnny McMahan
Woodward News
Woodward, Okla. —
It’s last chance week for anyone who hasn’t made it out to the new Fuller Park this summer.
The park, already one of the state’s premiere youth baseball locales, is the site for a new state tournament highlighting summer baseball in Oklahoma.
The inaugural Oklahoma Town League State Tournament starts Wednesday at both the new Fuller Park and Enid’s David Allen Memorial Ballpark - another of the state’s gold-standard youth baseball stadiums.
Now, there isn’t an actual “Oklahoma Town League” by itself with standings and all, but that could possibly come in the future.
This tournament is simply an opportunity for several independent programs, including some who have left the American Legion in recent years, to play for a championship. Actually, the tournament is pretty much open to any team that meets the age requirements - including American Legion programs whose season might have already ended.
There are not a lot of restrictions for teams.
Organizers say a team must be based in an Oklahoma town (or city). The only other significant requirement involves age. There is not an age limit if a player was in high school in the spring of 2010. For players who were not in high school, they cannot have turned 19 before Jan. 1, 2010. That means if you were in college in 2010 and still meet the age requirements, you can play for your team in this tournament.
That’s it. There’s no restrictions on the number of players on a team. There is also no restriction on where a player lives (American Legion in Oklahoma for instance limits the distance a team can go recruit players and also does not allow out of state players).
The first tournament opens with 11 teams - three from Enid, two from Woodward, two out of Cache and several from Oklahoma City and its metro area. Several of the teams will have some Division I type talent. All of them are pretty decent clubs.
The winner will receive a traveling trophy.
This will make for a pretty good tournament - one that hopefully will expand in future years as it becomes familiar to more people.
Fans will find much to like at the new Fuller Park with ample seating and good views from everywhere as well as a water park just across the street. Players and coaches will be greeted by air conditioned clubhouses and other amenities.
More important, from a playing point of view, games will not be burdened by a time limit and, unlike some tournaments in the summer, there are no ties - any games tied after 9 innings will go until there is a winner.
The only time a game will be shortened is the 10-run rule after 7 innings.
This is a tournament you should go and watch.
There will be plenty of opportunities with 4 games each on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 3 on Saturday and the championship on Sunday.
This marks the return of state championship baseball to Woodward and the first state-level tournament in the new Fuller Park. I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last.
Don’t miss it.
*****
People enjoy rodeo for a lot of reasons.
They like the train wrecks in bull riding, the various entertainment provided during the evening, heck even just the feel of being part of the tradition and history of the west.
But they also like the opportunity to see the legendary figures - both men and animals – in their sport.
One moment stands out from the final night of the Woodward Elks Rodeo Saturday night.
In the saddle bronc riding, Billy Etbauer was on a Beutler and Son horse named Popeye and he scored an 84 to win the event.
Both the rider and horse are among the top names in prorodeo.
Billy Etbauer hasn’t won just a few rodeos. He’s a 5-time world champion, 21-time NFR qualifier and $3-million plus career winner. There are plenty of saddle bronc riders who are not even 21 years old. Popeye, age 25, has been in the national finals a few times as well, bucking off many great riders along the way. The horse, in fact, has likely bucked off Billy Etbauer a time or two over the years.
The matchup, one you don’t get a chance to see in person that often, was something special.
At age 47, it’s likely Billy Etbauer is nearing the end of his great career. I hope I speak for most in attendance Saturday that it was an honor to watch him ride one of rodeo’s premiere horses again.
*****
The Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State games are under way in the Tulsa area this week and the area is represented in a number of sports.
Woodward’s Matt White will be wrestling for the Small West team tonight in Bixby. White, the state champion in Class 4A, will face Ben Morgan of Catoosa at 152 pounds.
Matches start at 8 p.m.
On Monday, Brycen Shoaf and Marc White of Arnett played on the Small West team as did Zach Warner of Amber-Pocassett who has been playing with the Woodward Travelers this summer.
In Wednesday’s girls basketball games at Oral Roberts University, Vici’s Johna Gregory and Seiling’s Kari Trammel are on the Small West team. The game begins at 7 p.m.
The Small West team for Thursday’s boys basketball games includes Dane Thrash of Cheyenne, Connor Martin of Alva and J. D. Pugh of Texhoma. Game time is 7 p.m.
For Friday’s football game at Jenks High School, Trevon Hartfield of Watonga is one of the defensive backs and Trevor Ross of Timberlake is a linebacker.
*****
Sharon-Mutual grad Jory Custar has been named an Academic All-American.
Custar compiled a 3.71 grade point average at Cowley College and also earned All-American honors on the track. He will attend Oklahoma Baptist University next year.
Johnny McMahan is managing editor of the Woodward News.
