OUR VIEW: Congrats to Parkston on magical run in state tournament

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What a finish to Parkston’s summer of baseball. The Hutchinson County town has a population of only about 1,500, yet it is king of the world in terms of South Dakota amateur baseball.

Parkston’s Mudcats earned a 4-3 win over Crofton, Neb., Sunday to win the state Class B amateur baseball title. The victory came in the 13th inning and on the arm of Brady Nolz, who entered amateur baseball lore by pitching in five games at the tournament. He earned four wins and one save and forever will be mentioned with some of the great names of amateur baseball, like Tom Pahl and Dave Gassman.

Good for Brady Nolz, and good for the town of Parkston, where baseball is healthy and thriving.

Along with the Mudcats, there are two other amateur teams in town, including the Bullheads and the Rock Bass. The former is reserved for players older than 38, while the latter is made up of typically aged amateur players. The Rock Bass also earned a trip to state, but didn’t advance past the first round.

On top of the town’s amateur success this year, two teenage teams also placed among the top four in their respective state tournaments.

That’s an impressive year, and bodes well for Parkston’s baseball future.

There must be something in the water just south of Mitchell. Last year, Tabor finished second in the state Class B amateur tournament. In 2010, Dimock — also from Hutchinson County, just like Parkston — won the state title as part of a team with Emery.

And Canova, just east of Mitchell, won the title in 2009.

Perhaps we at The Daily Republic get too poetic and nostalgic when we discuss amateur baseball. We can’t help it, since we consider amateur ball a direct link to the past for so many of South Dakota’s small towns.

And amateur baseball also can be such a great unifier, which was the case Sunday at Mitchell’s Cadwell Park. When the Mudcats recorded their dramatic victory, the Parkston fans rejoiced in unison. Even members of the town’s other teams celebrated.

It was quite a sight.

Congratulations, Parkston, on a wonderful summer of baseball.

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