The Chaska Cubs open the Class B State Amateur Baseball Tournament at home Friday night with the traditional power Miesville Mudhens.

Chaska Athletic Park is sure to be packed when the town honors their 1971 State Championship team before the game.

I have always said anytime you have 20 or more wins in a summer in amateur baseball you've had a great season.

Both these teams have 20 or more wins at least according to results listed on their website pages.  The Chaska Cubs are 20-14.  Miesville Mudhens 26-8.

The Mudhens started slowly losing 3 of their first 4 games in the spring.  Since then they are 25-5.

Neither team has complete statistics on their website.  Especially when it comes to pitching so I can't give you as good a preview as I would like.

One of the Mudhens baseball fans in this area probably remember is Brian Sprout of Lake City High School.

Sprout was an outstanding wide receiver for the St. Olaf Oles and also played third base for the Oles.  He was Most Valuable Player in both sports.  Sprout was inducted into the St. Olaf College Hall of Fame in 2012, ten years after he graduated and played.

For these purposes I'll give you some baseball statistics.  Sprout did play three seasons of minor league baseball in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.  He played A and AA ball.

In college Sprout set an MIAC record for triples in a season with 7 in 2000.  He also had the record for runs scored with 33 that same year.  Those records still stand.

Sprout was a three time Most Valuable Player in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).  In 1999, 2000 and 2001.  He shared the honor in 2001 with Jake Mauer of the University of St. Thomas.  St. Olaf won the league title two of those years.

In 1999 and 2000 Sprout led the MIAC in batting average with .473 and .507 season averages.

The 41 year old Sprout is the Head Coach for the East Ridge High School baseball team out of Woodbury.  He can still hit. Team statistics show Sprout has played in 15 games during the current season with 2 home runs, 15 RBI and a .311 batting average

He also played three seasons for the St. Paul Saints.  To show you his versatility he played left field, shortstop and third base while playing for the Vero Beach Dodgers and Jacksonville Suns.

Sprout's best year in the Dodgers organization was in 2004 Class A with the Vero Beach Dodgers where he hit .282 with 12 home runs, 45 RBI in 89 games played.

For the Saints in 2006 Sprout hit .350 in 91 games.  Followed up in 2007 hitting .304 in 96 games.

First pitch is 7:30 p.m. Friday night.

There are 16 teams in the Class B Minnesota Amateur Baseball Tournament.  Four are from Section 1B.  In addition to Miesville from that section are New Market, Hampton and Rochester.

The New Market Muskies play 11:00 a.m. Sunday in Hamburg against the Burnsville Bobcats.

New Market is 16-11 if their schedule results are accurate on the MBA website.  Burnsville's record is 17-10.

The Hampton Cardinals are 11-11 and play Sunday, August 22, 2021 in Hamburg against the Champlin Park LoGators with a record of 30-14.

The Rochester Royals come into the State Tournament with a 21-13 record and begin play against the Forest Lake Brewers with a 16-16 mark.  The game is 1:30 p.m. Sunday, August 22, 2021 in Hamburg.

The three time defending State Class B Champion Chanhassen Red Birds face the Moorhead Mudcats in their opener in Chaska 1:30 p.m. Saturday, August 21, 2021.

The Red Birds are 27-3 while the Mudcats have a 8-7 record listed but several games on their schedule were left blank when it comes to results.

The Class B Tournament is single elimination until they get to the final four teams left and then it's double elimination the rest of the way.

This is fascinating.

25 True Crime Locations: What Do They Look Like Today?

Below, find out where 25 of the most infamous crimes in history took place — and what the locations are used for today. (If they've been left standing.)

More amazing information below.

LOOK: What major laws were passed the year you were born?

Data for this list was acquired from trusted online sources and news outlets. Read on to discover what major law was passed the year you were born and learn its name, the vote count (where relevant), and its impact and significance.

 

 

 

More From KDHL Radio