March 18, 2024

Siblings play key roles in CMB history

The Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union are two separate entities.

One governs male sports and the other focuses on female athletics.

So when it comes time for postseason play, games typically fall on the same days.

That’s what happened to Collins-Maxwell/Baxter this week.

The CMB softball team was playing in its first-ever state tournament game in Fort Dodge just a few hours before the baseball team was trying to become the first squad in program history to reach the state baseball tournament in Story City.

It can get crazy for fans trying to give their support in both places. It was especially crazy on Wednesday for Don and Cheryl Ritter and Bryce and Beth Caple, who have children on both teams.

“We split up typically and one of us goes to softball and the other to baseball,” Cheryl Ritter said. “But at this point in the season, you really want to be at both places. We are fortunate that we can do that. I am happy that both games are in the same corner of the state.”

The boys association did place the Raiders baseball team close enough to Fort Dodge that it made it possible to see both games on the same night.

I covered both games myself, but there weren’t many minutes to spare.

The Ritter family is staying in Fort Dodge for the week. The Caples decided to drive back and forth in support of their two children — Creighton and Hannah.

No matter how you slice it, the week has been fun, nerve wracking and exciting for both families.

“It’s been very nerve-wracking,” Bryce Caple said. “Neither program has been this far and to be able to have them both go this far in the same year has been wonderful.”

The softball team lost its first-round game against No. 3 Solon on Wednesday. A few hours later, the baseball team clinched its first-ever state tournament with a big win over Ogden in the substate final.

That means Creighton Caple and Brad Ritter will join their younger siblings — Megan Ritter and Hannah Caple — as four Raiders helping the two programs make history this season.

“It’s a cool thing. I am over the moon excited for the girls,” Beth Caple said. “And it’s cool to have the boys join them in the same year. To have kids on both teams has been amazing, fun and crazy. It’s all of that.”

The softball team can still finish as high as fifth Thursday. The baseball team begins their tournament run at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Principal Park in Des Moines.

Wednesday was the only day that will present too much conflict for the two families. Both families had planned to travel to both places a day earlier but rain washed out play at both sites.

That just added more craziness to an already crazy story.

“It’s amazing. It’s the pinnacle. It’s what you always want for your kids,” Cheryl Ritter said. “There’s just a lot of happiness right now.”

The Ritters have a vacation planned for whenever the season ends. If the baseball team advances all the way to the Class 2A state championship game on July 30, the vacation to Table Rock Lake gets put on hold for a day.

“We planned it that way. We plan the vacations around the games,” Dan Ritter said.

They also don’t plan a lot of meals at home.

“There is not much on the menu right now. Most of our food is concession stand orders and Casey’s Pizza,” Dan Ritter joked. “It’s been a fun summer. It’s been fun to see both Brad and Megan succeed like this.”

With a child on each team, conversations around the house, in the car and anywhere else revolve around baseball and softball. For the past 10 days, those conversations have been a lot more fun.

Neither sibling could watch the other one play Wednesday because of their own obligations. Brad and Creighton are looking forward to catching their younger sisters’ games Thursday though.

“We are just happy that both of us have gotten this far,” Creighton Caple said. “It would have been special for one of the teams to make it. Having both of us make it is amazing. We have been so supportive of each other. It’s been great to be a part of this with her.”

Brad Ritter added, “We are both very supportive of each other’s teams. We want the best for each other. Getting to see her play tomorrow will be amazing. She is at the top spot in the state. How cool is that?”

Contact Troy Hyde at

thyde@newtondailynews.com