Iowa

Iowa high school baseball 2022: 5 area storylines to follow

Published

2 years ago

May 15, 2022

Iowa high school baseball 2022: 5 area storylines to follow

Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Dylan Davis (9) swings a sledgehammer in celebration after hitting a house run throughout their Class 4A substate sport at Kennedy Excessive College in Cedar Rapids on Monday, July 19, 2021. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)

With the 2022 Iowa highschool baseball season starting Monday, listed below are 5 Gazette space subjects to observe this summer season.

Metro baseball match is gone

The highschool baseball season had been ushered in by the Metro baseball match for a lot of a long time.

The occasion was began by Pinky Primrose and featured 4 groups. The competitors grew to an eight-team bracket that featured the present seven Cedar Rapids/Marion Metro applications and Mount Vernon and was named after longtime coach and umpire Bob Vrbicek, who died in 1999.

With a shift within the timing for summer season sports activities and the state match moved up per week, modifications needed to be made. Sadly, the Bob Vrbicek Metro Baseball match was a casualty.

“Based mostly on modifications to the Iowa Excessive College Athletic Affiliation (IHSAA) Unified Calendar, the MVC (Mississippi Valley Convention) has adjusted their convention baseball schedules for the 2022 season,” Cedar Rapids Washington Actions Director Grant Schultz mentioned in a information launch saying the choice in February. “Because of this, the CRANDIC League (Iowa Metropolis and Cedar Rapids Metro space faculties) broadcasts the next concerning the Metro Baseball Event. The varsity-level Metro Baseball Event will not be performed.”

The match generated quite a few reminiscences, whether or not it was extra-inning battles performed at highschool websites, Veterans Memorial Stadium or Prospect Meadows.

Cedar Rapids Prairie received the ultimate installment of the basic in 2021, defeating Marion within the championship sport. The very fact Prairie was a Class 4A state semifinalist and Marion captured the 3A state title is a chief instance why this match was so particular. Along with that, Prairie defeated 3A state semifinalist Cedar Rapids Xavier within the quarterfinals. The one Metro match sport for Prairie that wasn’t in opposition to an eventual state match qualifier was a 14-13 thriller received within the backside of the seventh in opposition to Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

The Vrbicek can be missed with groups leaping proper into MVC and Wamac Convention play. Apparently, Marion hosts Mount Vernon at Mount Mercy’s Plaster Athletic Complicated, which might have been a first-round sport anyway.

If future scheduling permits for the Metro match to be resurrected, ADs and coaches ought to severely take into account it.

Will Dylan Davis have one other monster yr?

Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Dylan Davis was a power on the plate final yr, sharing the state lead with 13 dwelling runs. He hit .466 with 31 extra-base hits, giving him a .966 slugging share. Davis completed with 114 complete bases on 55 hits.

The manufacturing was greater than sufficient to garner all-state and Mississippi Valley Convention Mississippi Division Participant of the Yr honors.

These numbers and accomplishments can be onerous to duplicate. The Cougars will want to ensure to guard him within the lineup, so he can see good pitches to hit. If they will, and he stays selective every at-bat, he has the potential. Plus, he’s had at the least one Good Sport spring league sport with two dwelling runs, so Davis is placing himself in a great spot to choose up the place he left off in 2021.

Is North Linn higher off in Class 1A?

North Linn is in its second season again in Class 1A after a pair years as a 2A baseball program. After 4 straight seasons on the state match, which bridged the transfer from 1A to 2A and included a 2A state runner-up end in 2019 and a 2A state semifinals look in 2020, the Lynx didn’t attain the 1A state match final season.

Competitors is fierce in 1A in Jap Iowa this season. Lisbon and Lansing Kee reached the state match final yr. Each groups return a lot of their manufacturing and expertise. Alburnett additionally certified for state and has been a high 1A faculty within the space beneath Coach Ryan Stensland.

North Linn has quite a lot of expertise again, together with the dynamic Austin Hilmer, who set a state file with 75 stolen bases final yr. Hilmer is a senior, marking the tip of an eight-year stretch of Hilmers main the lineup that dates again to his older brother, Jake.

Hilmer can be relied on however the staff has loads of expertise, so it can contend for a 1A state berth with the likes of Kee and Lisbon, although 2A might need been a smoother highway.

How will the early begin impression groups?

It stays to be seen, however large faculties shouldn’t have as a lot of a problem as small faculties. Applications in 1A and 2A usually tend to have multisport athletes which might be attempting to shut out spring sports activities and transition to summer season. The larger faculties have extra of a pool of athletes to work with and could have the our bodies to deal with issues early.

Coaches must cooperate, permitting athletes to finish their spring obligations and put together their our bodies (particularly their arms) for the upcoming summer season.

Some small-school groups would possibly look drastically completely different into June than they did within the first two weeks, so take the early outcomes with a grain of salt. Might simply be groups getting up to the mark.

First-week matchups to look at

The opening week has a couple of intriguing matchups. Listed below are just some to control, or get out to see in particular person.

Monday: Cedar Rapids Prairie at Iowa Metropolis Excessive. Two of the highest three groups within the MVC Mississippi final yr. Each had been ranked groups and have state-tournament caliber squads.

Tuesday: Bettendorf at Solon. The Spartans are going to be enjoyable to look at. They open with Wamac foe Vinton-Shellsburg Monday and welcome the Class 4A Bulldogs the subsequent evening.

Wednesday: Dyersville Beckman at Western Dubuque. Dubuque County loves its baseball. Anytime you may get to a sport at Dyersville, Farley or Cascade, do it. Baseball at its purest.

Thursday: Marion at Cedar Rapids Xavier. The Wolves are the returning state champions, whereas the Saints had been semifinalists final yr. Each have quite a lot of expertise again from these groups.

Feedback: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com

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Iowa

Iowa DOT shuts down stretches of I-680, I-29 ahead of anticipated flooding

Published

6 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

Iowa DOT shuts down stretches of I-680, I-29 ahead of anticipated flooding

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA. (WOWT) – After more than a day of anticipation, officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation confirmed to 6 on Your Side late Tuesday Night that it would be shutting down portions of Interstates 680 and 29 effective at midnight Wednesday.

The closures are due to to rising water on the Missouri River.

The affected stretch of I-29 is from the 25th Street interchange on the north edge of Council Bluffs to the I-29/I-880 interchange.

The I-680 stretch is from the Nebraska border to the I-29/I-680 interchange near Crescent.

A detour was set to be posted near Loveland to take traffic from the I-29/I-880 interchange east to the I-80/I-880 interchange, then southwest on I-80 into Council Bluffs.

Monday night, Iowa DOT’s Austin Yates told 6 News that there was anticipation that the interstate would reopen sometime during the weekend.

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Iowa

New testing required for dairy cattle participating in Iowa fairs

Published

14 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

New testing required for dairy cattle participating in Iowa fairs

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – On Tuesday, the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture announced new testing requirements for dairy cattle participating in Iowa fairs and exhibitions.

Secretary Mike Naig announced the new requirements as a way to minimize the potential spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). HPAI (also known as Bird Flu) has hit numerous dairy cattle in the state. The Secretary says the state should expect to see new positive cases announced as the increased testing takes place.

“The Department is issuing a statewide order effective July 1 that will require additional tests for HPAI prior to dairy cattle participating at our state’s many fairs and exhibitions,” said Secretary Naig. “We want to strike a balance between allowing our 4-H, FFA, and dairy exhibitors the opportunity to show their animals, while also requiring additional testing to protect our livestock and minimize the potential spread of the virus,” said Secretary Naig.

To date, the state has reported 11 positive cases of HPAI within dairy herds in Iowa. 9 of those cases have been detected in Sioux County. Iowa has had three poultry cases thus far in 2024, including one case in a commercial chicken layer in Sioux County and two cases in commercial turkey flocks.

“Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza isn’t just a poultry issue or a dairy issue, it’s an issue for all of agriculture. Our approach is reflective of our significant livestock industry, and I want to thank our farmers who have stepped up to help contribute to the broader understanding, visibility and knowledge of this virus,” said Secretary Naig. “We should expect additional challenges ahead and as the situation continues to evolve, we will also continue to evaluate our response. We continue to support our farmers through the joint state and federal response team who are navigating this evolving and unpredictable situation.”

Suspected signs of HPAI in poultry include:

Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs
Lethargy and/or lack of energy and appetite
Decrease in egg production
Soft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggs
Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
Purple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs
Difficulty breathing
Coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)
Stumbling and/or falling down
Diarrhea

Suspected signs of HPAI in dairy cows include:

Decrease in food consumption with a simultaneous decrease in rumination
Clear nasal discharge
Drop in milk production
Tacky or loose feces
Lethargy
Dehydration
Fever
Thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk

Officials say that it is safe to enjoy poultry products. Consumers should utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F.

There is no concern about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products. Pasteurization has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk.

If dairy producers suspect cases of HPAI, they should contact their herd veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

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Iowa

2024 Eastern Iowa fireworks displays

Published

21 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Cities across Iowa are preparing to host annual Independence Day fireworks displays!

Here is a list of displays you can see in eastern Iowa this year:

Bettendorf

Parade at 10 a.m. on July 4 in downtown Bettendorf
4th of July Festival from noon to 10 p.m. on Spruce Hills Drive in front of Cumberland Square
Fireworks at Middle Park at dusk
More info

Cedar Falls

Fireworks Over the Dome at 9:40 p.m. on June 27

Cedar Rapids

Ellis Fireworks on the River at 9 p.m. on July 3 – more info
Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival – Celebration of Freedom Fireworks
Fireworks start at dark on July 4 in downtown Cedar Rapids
More info

Charles City

Fourth of July Celebration from July 3-6
Fourth of July Parade begins at 11 a.m. on July 4, then fireworks by the Cedar River in the evening
Main Street Charles City’s Party in the Park on July 5
July 6 – magician show, cornhole tournament
More info

Coralville

Coralville’s annual 4thFest parade at 10 a.m. on July 4, starting and ending at the corner of 9th Street and 22nd Avenue
Fireworks display in S.T. Morrison Park at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

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