March 29, 2024

Hawkeye baseball catching fire statewide

College baseball has been an enigma in the state of Iowa in recent years.

Iowa State and Northern Iowa disbanded their programs, leaving Iowa as the only Division I team in the state.

And before this season, the Hawkeyes’ baseball team was an afterthought for those that root for the black and gold.

I attended a game at Duane Banks Field a few years back. I was working on a story about a Marshalltown native who was an assistant coach at Kansas State. At that time, the athletic department may have paid me to attend the game if I wasn’t getting in with a press credential.

The vibe wasn’t there. And there were plenty of empty seats.

Rick Heller has changed all of that. In just two seasons, Heller has already packed the stadium because the Hawkeyes are exciting and fun to watch.

They also are good.

Iowa locked up a two seed for the NCAA Tournament and will head to the Missouri State regional with the hopes of continuing its run to Omaha.

I have never been to the College World Series. It has been something I have always thought would be fun but, for one reason or another, I just never made my way there.

If the Hawkeyes find a way to make it to Omaha, this may be the year that I break that streak.

You never know what will happen in baseball. Iowa has won games it wasn’t expected to win and lost to teams that force you to shake your head.

It will be a tough task. Any team that makes it that far usually earns it. And deserves to be there.

Hopefully, the black and gold will give me a reason to make the trip. I need to check that off my bucket list.

Another bucket list item I have been wanting to check off my list is the Principal Charity Classic.

I feel bad that a Champions Tour golf event comes to the town I have lived in for several years now and I have yet to attend.

I love to play golf. I actually got a chance to get out on the links with my brother on Memorial Day.

But following the sport’s professional isn’t something that I need to do. It’s not very easy for me to watch golf on TV but I have attended a PGA event in Texas and it was a blast. I am sure I would feel the same way about the Principal Charity Classic.

We are fast approaching June. That means baseball and softball are in the air. Good luck to all the area softball teams who are trying to make Harlan Rogers Sports Complex their final destination and baseball programs who want Principal Park to be their last stop.