Savage Words: There’s still some baseball left, and we’ve got it good

Autumn is fast approaching, and the fall sports scene is nearly in full swing. High  School soccer starts this Friday! Whew.

But this week, we still have time to enjoy some baseball, and there’s a lot of high level games that all of us in Brandon and Valley Springs can appreciate and enjoy.

First, it’s the final week of the South Dakota state amateur baseball tournament at First National Bank Field in Aspen Park. It’s already been a whirlwind week for the state amateur tourney, with the best yet to come.

I know this story has been written before, about a million times by sportswriters around the state, from every point north, south, east and west. We’ve all read the stories about the charming baseball fields that dot the landscape in South Dakota, and the oak tree in right field that overlooks the boys of summer each season. We’ve read about the farmers and ranchers in our state who needed a break from their long days working the fields and livestock, only to get a chance to catch their breath at night to play baseball. It’s how amateur baseball was born in South Dakota more than 100 years ago.

Those stories, although basically the same each time they’re printed every two or three years, are actually charming in themselves. Baseball touches everyone a little differently, and no doubt the sport has had an emotional tug on sportswriters before me.

I, too, love going to small towns to catch an amateur baseball game each summer.

But here we are, Brandon, with a chance this final week to watch the Class A and B championships at First National Bank Field. Brandon’s is a sweet park, arguably one of the finest in our state.

So do yourself a favor, and go check out a game this final week. You’ll see fans from every corner of the state, cheering on their brothers, sons, farmers and ranchers. It sounds corny, but it really is that true.

Go to Aspen Park. See what all the fuss has been about. Because Brandon, you’re very lucky to be hosting this tournament. It’s a crown jewel in South Dakota, and this weekend, you’ll be crowning some champions.

While the adults of summer will be playing for a title this week in Brandon, the true boys of summer will just be getting going in Williamsport, Penn., for the Little League World Series.

For the fourth time, the Little League team from Sioux Falls will represent the Midwest Region. That is such a cool thing, and even better for all of us in this part of the state as Valley Springs will be represented.

Third baseman Devin Aukes is from Valley Springs. The soon-to-be seventh grader has been playing third base all summer for the Sioux Falls Little League team. On Thursday, he and his buddies from Sioux Falls will open in the famed Little League World Series from Williamsport against – of course – Pennsylvania.

The game will be on ESPN, and that sounds like a heavy burden for a 12-year-old. But this crew doesn’t seem to get fazed, doesn’t seem to wilt under the bright lights.

Last week in Indianapolis, they went 4-1 in the Midwest regional to advance to the LLWS. Arguably millions watched them do it as ESPN cameras covered their every move.

While parents of the Sioux Falls little leaguers paced the baselines outside the fences with anxiety, the nine on the field took care of business, and advanced, once again to the LWSS.

I talked to Aukes, and asked him if he was nervous.

He said he was a little, but it wasn’t bad. That’s inspiring. I can’t imagine doing anything knowing a million people are watching. But that’s the beauty of youth. As adults, I think it’s safe to say we probably overthink things a bit.

For these kids, it’s already been an amazing accomplishment, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they made some noise in Williamsport. 

“It was probably the best feeling of my life,” Aukes said when I asked him what it was like to win the region and advance to Williamsport. “My dream came true.”

Great attitude, Devin. All of us adults should adhere to that.

But, and not to add any pressure here because I’m guessing you won’t feel it, we’ll all be watching from South Dakota … and beyond.