OUR VIEW: Unlike Sioux Falls, Mitchell is a great place for amateur baseball tourney

• OUR VIEW

OUR VIEW

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The state amateur baseball tournament is under way again. Also once again, the tournament is where it should be: in Mitchell.

Two years ago, The Daily Republic penned an opinion piece for this page that lamented the tournament’s 2010 presence in Sioux Falls. That editorial was reprinted last year at this time.

To tell the truth, our urge was to run the same editorial once again today, since our opinion hasn’t changed, and our opinion is thus: Sioux Falls shouldn’t host the tournament. In our dealings with the tournament there, and in conversations we have with players that compete there, Sioux Falls in general doesn’t seem to have much passion for amateur baseball.

So we guess we won’t reprint the editorial, but instead today will proclaim our pride in Mitchell’s ability to host this tournament two out of every three years.

Our Cadwell Park isn’t perfect. Sioux Falls Stadium is quaint and has more comfortable seating, along with its minor-league atmosphere. Yankton’s Riverside Park has sure come a long way in recent years, with its covered grandstand and stadium seating, but it doesn’t seem like a large enough facility to host such a prestigious event.

Cadwell Park has charm in its symmetry, and it legitimately is one of the best places in the state to see a game. Our backup stadium, Drake Field, isn’t too shabby, either.

And we suspect the crew that will be working the games will again be fully dedicated to the cause. We don’t feel that happens in Sioux Falls.

The crowds likely will be bigger here in Mitchell, although we understand that a lot of that depends upon match-ups and which regional teams survive the longest.

Although we aren’t reprinting the editorial from the last two years, we will repeat one theme: Sioux Falls seems to have sold its soul for minor-league sports. It tends to show in the lack of enthusiasm that has pervaded many of the amateur sessions that have been held there in recent years.

Here in Mitchell, enthusiasm is not in short supply. We’re happy to host this great tournament, and we welcome the many visitors to our town.

And as long as we have your attention, we’d greatly appreciate it if you’d spend the night, shop a bit, or stop for a bite to eat or a post-game refreshment at one of our local establishments.

Like we said, we’re darn happy to host this tournament.

Tags: sports, opinion, updates, editorials, baseball, tournament, state, local, mitchell