Chukars to host Holiday Inn Classic
By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
Friday, March 20, 2009 1:27 PM PDT
| |
| Argus Observer file photo
TVCC head coach Rick Baumann visits with his battery in this Argus Observer file photo during a recent game. This weekend, the Chukars will host the Holiday Inn Classic. |
Ontario—Playing at home has its advantages, and, when playing in a tournament your team is hosting, expectations are high. The Treasure Valley Community College baseball team is hosting the Holiday Inn Classic this weekend, a tournament they have won the past few years.
Competing in the event are Douglas (4-5) of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges North league, Vancouver Island Baseball Institute (0-5) and Big Bend (8-4) of the NWAACC East league.
Chukar head coach Rick Baumann said Douglas will be a competitive team, which he described as a scrappy bunch. Big Bend will bring in a fiery team with good pitching and strong hitting.
“I think all the teams will have their hands full against Big Bend,” Baumann said.
Playing in its third straight home tournament, the TVCC baseball team looks forward to playing at home on its own field, Baumann said.
Coming into the tournament, Baumann said his Chukar team is still shorthanded with injuries, and he is hoping to get a few key players back on the field, like center fielder Christian Jolley, who has been hampered by a hamstring injury and Josh Kalalau, the starting shortstop dealing with a hand injury.
“We need to get healthy and build some depth on our team,” Baumann said. “Just trying to get all these guys healthy and on the field is our main concern right now.”
The Chukars begin play today at 10 a.m. against Douglas, followed by a 1 p.m. first pitch against V.I. Baseball Institute.
Following this tournament, the Chukars will begin league play at Columbia Basin on March 26.
