Snowhawks kick off new snowshoe baseball season

Snowshoe baseball returned to Lake Tomahawk on Monday night with an opening game that came down to the final innings.

The Snowhawks and Newswatch 12 came together and formed two different teams. The home team ended up winning 13-10.

“For an opener, it has to be one of the better ones in the past years,” coach Jeff Smith said. “Everybody was eager to get out there and throw the ball around again. It was fun. It’s nice to see lots of different faces you haven’t seen since last year. It was a good night.”

This summer marks 63 years for snowshoe baseball. The Snowhawks totaled over 500 people for the opener on Monday and will continue to play Monday nights throughout the summer at Snowshoe Park.

There are a total of 12 games on the 2024 schedule. Some of the summer highlights include two games during the Fourth of July week.

First, the Snowhawks will play Zimmy’s All-Stars on July 1, the usual Monday game. Then, the annual Fourth of July game against the Chicago All-Stars takes place on Thursday this year.

“We had a leap year,” Smith said. “I don’t like to run games back-to-back so I thought this game was supposed to be on a Wednesday. It leaped to a Thursday. We’re excited about that. It’s a big draw for one thing. There’s people (who’ve) been up here since the weekend. Those are big nights fans-wise, and we scheduled two really good games that week, too. The fans will get their money’s worth.”

The Lakeland Times always plays one game each summer. That game will take place on Aug. 5.

“We never can take you that lightly at first,” Smith said. “Our guys know a lot of guys on your team so that’s a fun game, too.”

Monday night’s game was certainly a fun one as well, tied at 8-8 in the seventh inning. Derek Young, playing for the road team, led the inning off with a hit. He ended up using his speed to score on a groundout, beating the throw home.

Paul Miller and Cole Punches increased the road team’s lead in the eighth inning. Miller came home to score after a hit by Punches. They took a 10-8 lead going into the bottom of the eighth.

The home team hadn’t scored since the fourth inning — a home run by Jesse Robinson. They ended up scoring the maximum five times in the eighth inning to take the lead for good.

Newswatch 12’s Konrad Supinski tied the game at 10 all after putting the ball in play. He ended up on second base with no outs. Ryan Morien and Smith both came home to score. 

Later, Simone Garber of Newswatch 12 drove in Supinski for the go-ahead and game-winning run and an 11-10 lead. The home team expanded their lead to 13-10 by the end of the inning.

“How these games can be so close is a mystery to me,” Smith said. “When I’m putting in the roster, I don’t know one name from another. You don’t want to put three of the good guys from Channel 12 (on the same team). (It was) a really close game which is really good for the players themselves and the fans. That game was tied for three innings or something like that. It makes it a lot more competitive and a lot more fun to watch.”

The road team had one more chance to tie the game in the top of the ninth. The first two batters reached base. Jake Force, Newswatch 12, grounded into a fielder’s choice for one out. 

Then, Christopher Bushong hit a pop-up to first baseman Dan Hagen, both from Newswatch 12. Hagen caught it and doubled up the runner at first for the unassisted double play to end the game.

“There are some individuals who have never played the game of softball before or even swung a bat,” Smith said. “It’s easier for us to split them up, give them the rules of the game. Players on each side helps them with the snowshoes when they get loose or a strap busts.”

The summer slate for the Snowhawks features a number of the usual opponents from around the area. There is a brand new team this year called Fricken Restaurants. Bill Fricke is putting together his own team to take on the Snowhawks in the season finale on Aug. 26.

“He’s going to put together his own team, and I think it’ll be a lot of fun,” Smith said. “We’re looking forward to seeing who he has on that day.”

There are several new apparel options for fans this year. They’re also hoping to raise enough money for new bleachers out in left field that will debut next year.

“Two new shirt designs,” Smith said. “We also have stickers for bottles. We’re planning on getting postcards too. We do have a new popcorn popper. It is state of the art.”

Many of the same names are back on the Snowhawks’ roster. Smith is looking for younger players to step in and take over for the future.

“We will probably be starting to filtrate younger talent sooner than later,” he said. “I might not be playing next year. I’ll fill in. We want to try to get some younger guys. That’s what our plan is — try to get a few more guys that are younger who want to be there every week, guys I know that will be interested in carrying this ball club on.”

Up next, the Snowhawks take on Pukall Lumber Studs on Monday, June 24 at Snowshoe Park in Lake Tomahawk. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.

Brett LaBore may be reached at [email protected] or [email protected]. 

SNOWHAWKS SCHEDULE

Date    Opponent

6/24    Pukall Lumber Studs

7/1    Zimmy’s All-Stars

7/4    Chicago All-Stars

7/8    Lake Tom Tap House

7/15    Wickman Construction

7/22    Bucketheads Dazzle’s Demons

7/29    Blackbear Bar    

8/5    The Lakeland Times    

8/12    Local Police/Fire Departments

8/19    WPS Local 420        

8/26    Fricken Restaurants    

All games start at 7:30 p.m.