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The baseball invasion begins Thursday! We start the Wisconsin State Babe Ruth Tournament on Thursday, July 5th and it goes through Monday. There will be 14 teams participating (two who just backed out), but games will still be played at both the high school and Centennial Park. The following week the Wisconsin State 11 Year old Tournament will be at Harris Park while the Ohio Valley Regional (16-18) will be at Centennial Park. We are looking for volunteer workers for the fields, tickets (Ohio Valley), concession workers, etc.
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We hope this brings a lot of business to the area because, even though these tournaments are a lot of fun and entertaining to the baseball fan, they are also a lot of work. The two concession stands for the 16-18 state will need supplies and someone to man them. The following week, the Ohio Valley at Centennial Park and the 11 tourney at Harris Park, also needs concession workers. Umpires for these tournaments are all paid - there are no volunteers. For the Ohio Valley, there has to be three umpires used for each game too!
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A former Dodgeville Home Talent baseball catcher, Dave Johnston of Stone Lake (WI), wrote a short note with his renewal for the Dodgeville Chronicle the other day. He said, "Even though I have been gone from your area for some time, I still consider it my home. I still enjoy getting back to the area for work and seeing familiar faces even though all of our faces look older. Keep up the good work."
I know all of the former baseball players who either have moved from the area or still live here really like it when I make the baseball connection and even ask them if they are ready for a comeback!
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The Highland Rodeo Club is holding a truck/tractor pull on Saturday, July 7 at 2:00 p.m. I'm guessing on Lagoon Road at the rodeo arena area!
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Sunday is the big day in Dodgeville with Farmers Appreciation Day taking place. The parade kicking off the day's events at 11:00. This year's parade Marshall is Don Hawkins, former Mineral Point Ag instructor. Then everyone should head to Harris Park for a full day of entertainment. There will be more fun "Midway" type things for the youngsters and the tractor pull is back after a year's absence. Area people get to show off their talents during the Talent Show" and the Land Conservation awards will be given out. There will be other people recognized on stage and there will be plenty of food - starting with the B-B-Q pork and beef sandwiches, ice cream, homemade pie and lots of water! There is a raffle with lots of prizes. There's a lot of activities going on in a short time span!
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A lot of people have asked me "When is it going to rain?" My answer has been - "It's not WHEN is it going to rain, but IF it is going to rain!"
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I had several people stop for me to cross the main street this past week and yell out - "The only reason I stopped was because I didn't want to get my name in the paper!"