Wyoming
Thrills And Chills On The Diamond As Wyoming Legion Teams Battle It Out
The boys of summer are at it again this week as the American Legion Baseball season is cruising along. Teams are working to improve every game and also trying to overcome the weather in some cases. Here’s the week’s rundown.
Final Score: Cody Cubs 3 Billings (MT) Blue Jays 1
Final Score: Cody Cubs 15 Billings Blue Jays 5
Final Score: Wheatland Lobos 7 Buffalo Bulls 0 (conference game) – forfeit win
Final Score: Wheatland Lobos 7 Buffalo Bulls 0 (conference game) – forfeit win
Final Score: Gillette Riders 2 Cheyenne Sixers 1 (conference game) – Riley Schilling of Gillette picked up the win on the mound, giving up one run and striking out 7.
Final Score: Gillette Riders 6 Cheyenne Sixers 5 – 8 inn. (conference game) – Hawk bunts in a run in the bottom of the 8th for the Riders.
Final Score: Casper Oilers 10 Rock Springs Stallions 4 (conference game) – Tanner Hagar of Casper had 3 hits and 2 RBIs.
Final Score: Casper Oilers 24 Rock Springs 0 (conference game) – Devereaux homered twice and drove in 9 runs for the Oilers.
Final Score: Casper Drillers 12 Torrington Tigers 5 (conference game) – Miramontes had 2 hits, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI’s for Casper.
Final Score: Casper Drillers 4 Torrington Tigers 2 (conference game) – Casper scored 3 times in the 3rd inning.
Final Score: Mountain View (Loveland, CO) Mountain Lions 7 Laramie Rangers AA 1 – Laramie registered just 4 hits in the game.
Final Score: Cheyenne Hawks 15 Berthoud, CO 0 – Mason Maggard had 6 RBI’s in this game for Cheyenne.
Final Score: Cheyenne Hawks 11 Loveland (CO) Dirtbags 6 – Cheyenne led 5-1 and pulled away. Tafoya had 3 hits & 2 RBIs for the Hawks.
Final Score: Douglas Cats 7 Gillette Rustlers 6 (conference game) – Bentley Carter drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 9th for Douglas.
Final Score: Gillette Rustlers 11 Douglas Cats 0 (conference game) – Gillette scored 8 times in the 4th inning.
Final Score: Laurel (MT) Dodgers 12 Lovell Mustangs 6 – Laurel scored 10 runs in the first 3 innings.
Final Score: Lovell Mustangs 3 Laurel Dodgers 2 – Tucker Jackson hit a 2-run homer for Lovell.
Final Score: Evanston Outlaws 11 Green River Knights 10 (conference game) – Evanston pounded out 15 hits in the game.
Final Score: Evanston Outlaws 11 Green River Knights 6 (conference game) – Gavin Oliver had 3 hits, 3 runs scored, and 1 RBI for Evanston.
Final Score: Laramie Rangers A 7 Buffalo Bulls 0 (conference game) – forfeit win
Final Score: Laramie Rangers A 7 Buffalo Bulls 0 (conference game) – forfeit win
Final Score: Billings (MT) Blue Jays 8 Powell Pioneers 5 – A 4-run 4th inning for Billings was a big turning point.
Final Score: Powell Pioneers 8 Billings Blue Jays 7 – Powell scored 7 runs in the 6th inning to take the lead for good.
Final Score: Sheridan Troopers 4 Jackson Giants 0 (conference game) – Barney and Lamb combined on a 3-hit shutout with 9 total strikeouts for Sheridan. Baures had a 2-run double and Rodgers added 2 hits & 1 RBI for the Troopers.
Final Score: Sheridan Troopers 10 Jackson Giants 0 (conference game) – After an early 4-0 lead, the Troopers scored 6 runs in the 5th to finish it off. Phillips homered as part of 2 hits & 2 RBIs. Barney added a double and 3 RBIs. Three Sheridan pitchers combined on a 2-hit shutout with 7 Ks.
Final Score: Douglas Cats 7 Buffalo Bulls 0 (conference game) – forfeit win
Final Score: Douglas Cats 7 Buffalo Bulls 0 (conference game) – forfeit win
Tournaments
Cheyenne Post 6 Firecracker Tournament in Cheyenne
Final Score: Cheyenne Sixers 12 Parker (CO) Lightning 3 – Cheyenne jumped out 4-0 and capped it with 8 runs in the 3rd inning. Robbins & Crecelius had 2 RBIs apiece.
Final Score: LB Baseball (Fort Collins) 18U 6 Laramie Rangers AA 4 – A 4-run 1st inning was the difference for FC. Aragon had 2 hits & 2 RBIs, and Schriner added 2 hits & 2 runs scored for the Rangers.
Final Score: Cheyenne Sixers 13 Catalyst (CO) Cardinals 6 – The Sixers rallied from an early 4-0 deficit. They took the lead with 6 runs in the 3rd. Pacecho had 3 hits, including 2 doubles, and 3 RBIs for Cheyenne.
Final Score: Cheyenne Hawks 9 Rocky Mountain Oysters (Grand Junction, CO) 1 – The Hawks built a 5-0 lead through 3 innings and never trailed. Hassler & Maggard had 2 hits & 1 RBI each.
Hargens/Leisy Tournament in Gillette
Final Score: Rapid City (SD) Post 22 Bullets 7 Sheridan Jets 4 – The Bullets rallied with 6 runs in the bottom of the 5th. Ormseth had 2 hits & drove in 1 run for Sheridan.
Final Score: Fort Morgan (CO) Wranglers 16U 8 Sheridan Jets 1 – Ft. Morgan pulled away with 5 runs in their last 3 at-bats. The Jets were held to 2 hits.
Final Score: Semper Fi (Severance, CO) 18U 8 Gillette Rustlers 6 – The Rustlers had a 5-1 lead but could not hold on.
Premier West (CO) Outlaws at Gillette Rustlers – moved to Saturday morning because of weather delays on Friday
Tournaments
Bolln Wood Bat Tournament in Douglas
Final Score: Wheatland Lobos 4 Powell Pioneers 2 – The Lobos rallied with 2 in the 4th and 2 more in the 7th for the win. Peralta had 1 hit & drove in 1 run. His single in the 7th and a sac fly from Lind pushed the lead to 4-1, and Wheatland held on. Peralta combined with 2 relievers to allow 1 run on 2 hits with 13 Ks.
Final Score: Evanston Outlaws 4 Torrington Tigers 3 – The Outlaws scored 2 runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings. Evanston scratched out 4 runs on 3 hits and took advantage of 4 walks and 2 errors.
Final Score: Douglas Cats 11 Laramie Rangers A 3 – Douglas finished off Laramie with a 6-run 4th. Carter had 3 hits & 2 RBIs for the Cats, while Freeburg added 2 hits & 3 RBIs.
Cheyenne Post 6 Firecracker Tournament in Cheyenne
Final Score: Laramie Rangers AA 8 Parker Lightning 4 – Laramie jumped out to a 5-0 lead and scored 2 insurance runs in the 7th to ice it. Hoyt had 3 hits (2B, 3B) & 3 runs scored. Richardson added 2 hits & 3 RBIs, and Aragon had 3 hits (2B) and 1 RBI.
Final Score: LB Baseball (Ft. Collins) 18U 6 Cheyenne Hawks 5 – The Hawks built a 4-0 lead but didn’t hold it. Horton had 2 hits & 2 RBIs for Cheyenne.
Final Score: Catalyst (CO) Cardinals 9 Laramie Rangers AA 1 – The Cardinals scored 3 in the 1st and 5 runs in the 2nd. The Rangers were held to 1 run on 3 hits.
Final Score: Casper Oilers 12 LB Baseball (Ft. Collins) 18U 6 – A 4-run 2nd inning gave the Oilers the lead, and they capped it with 6 more in the 4th. Nicholls and Deveraux had 3 hits & 2 RBIs each.
Final Score: Casper Oilers 8 Cheyenne Hawks 0 – Hagar threw a 1-hitter on 65 pitches over 5 innings with 5 Ks and 3 walks. Deveraux had 3 hits (2B) & drove in 1 run.
Final Score: Cheyenne Sixers 8 Rocky Mtn Oysters (Grand Junction, CO) 0 – After a 3-0 lead, Cheyenne scored 5 times in the fifth to end it early. Coates had 3 hits & 1 RBI, and Hauf added 2 hits & 1 RBI. Hall allowed 3 hits with 6 Ks and 2 walks.
Hargens/Leisy Tournament in Gillette
Final Score: Premier West (CO) Outlaws 6 Gillette Rustlers 1 – The Rustlers managed only 1 run on 5 hits. Premier scored 4 runs in the 1st to take the lead for good.
Final Score: Vauxhall (AB, Canada) Spurs 14 Sheridan Jets 9 – The Spurs jumped out to a 9-1 lead and kept the Jets at bay. Phillips had 3 hits & 1 RBI for Sheridan.
Final Score: Gillette Rustlers 7 Cranbrook (BC, Canada) Bandits 3 – The Rustlers scored the first 7 runs of the game. Percifield and New had 2 hits & 1 RBI apiece.
Phil Brown Classic in Jamestown, ND
Gillette Riders 3 Mitchell, SD 2 – delayed in the 4th – to be continued on Saturday
Cody Cubs at Sheridan Troopers, 1 & 3 p.m.
Tournaments
Bolln Wood Bat Tournament in Douglas
Evanston Outlaws vs. Wheatland Lobos, 9 a.m.
Torrington Tigers vs. Powell Pioneers, 11:30 a.m.
Lovell Mustangs vs. Laramie Rangers A, 2 p.m.
Green River Knights vs. Lovell Mustangs, 4:30 p.m.
Green River Knights at Douglas Cats, 7 p.m.
Cheyenne Post 6 Firecracker Tournament in Cheyenne
Casper Oilers vs. Catalyst Baseball (CO), 1:30 p.m. (Powers Field)
Laramie Rangers AA at Cheyenne Hawks, 1:30 p.m. (Pioneer Park)
Casper Oilers at Cheyenne Sixers, 4 p.m. (Powers Field)
Hargens/Leisy Tournament in Gillette
Gillette Rustlers vs. TBD
Sheridan Jets vs. TBD
Phil Brown Classic in Jamestown, ND
Gillette Riders 3 Mitchell, SD 2 – resuming at 9 a.m. in the 4th inning
Gillette Riders vs. Elmwood (Winnipeg, MB, Canada), 9:45 a.m.
Gillette Riders vs. Bonivital Black Sox (Winnipeg, MB, Canada), 3:45 p.m.
Buffalo Bulls at Casper Drillers, noon & 2 p.m. (conference games)
Tournaments
Bolln Wood Bat Tournament in Douglas
Pool A Seed No. 4 vs. Pool B Seed No. 4, 8 a.m.
Pool A Seed No. 3 vs. Pool B Seed No. 3, 10:30 a.m.
Pool B Seed No. 2 vs. Pool A Seed No. 1, 1 p.m.
Pool A Seed No. 2 vs. Pool B Seed No. 1, 3:30 p.m.
Winner 1 p.m. vs. Winner 3:30 p.m., 6 p.m. – Championship game
Cheyenne Post 6 Firecracker Tournament in Cheyenne
Cheyenne Sixers vs. TBD
Cheyenne Hawks vs. TBD
Casper Oilers vs. TBD
Laramie Rangers AA vs. TBD
Hargens/Leisy Tournament in Gillette
Gillette Rustlers vs. TBD
Sheridan Jets vs. TBD
Phil Brown Classic in Jamestown, ND
Gillette Riders vs. TBD
Torrington Legion Baseball
Torrington Legion Baseball
Gallery Credit: Erin Hager
Wyoming employers participating in the state’s workers’ compensation program will experience a 15% break in premiums next year, the third rate reduction in as many years.
That will result in a combined annual savings of $66 million, according to the Department of Workforce Services. Employers in good standing, and with three or more years in the program, may enjoy even bigger savings.
“By lowering workers’ compensation costs, we are helping employers invest in their workforce, strengthen their operations and continue to build safe, resilient workplaces across our state,” Gov. Mark Gordon said in a statement announcing the rate reduction.
All employers of businesses in Wyoming classified as “extra hazardous” are required to participate in the state’s workers’ compensation program, which is administered by the Department of Workforce Services. Others may voluntarily enroll, which typically entitles them to legal immunity for workplace injuries. The program is funded by premiums paid by employers to cover lost wages and medical bills for their employees who are injured on the job.
Wyoming is one of the few states that does not offer workers’ compensation benefits to undocumented workers.
$2.8 billion fund
The state can afford to offer lower premiums, Workforce Services Director Elizabeth Gagen suggested, because “Wyoming’s strong safety culture and responsible business practices are paying off, creating lasting benefits for both our workforce and our economy.”
A September report to the Legislature’s Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Committee indicates the workers’ compensation fund is growing at a rate that surpasses expenditures and liabilities.
“The average annual rate of return on the [workers’ compensation] investment portfolio over the past five years is approximately 6.8%,” Workforce Services Deputy Director Jason Wolfe told WyoFile via email. “Coupled with year-over-year declines in the number of injuries, as shown in the report, and sound cost containment and case management strategies, this means we’re typically spending a bit less than we’re making.”
The state’s workers’ compensation fund has risen steadily from $1.8 billion in 2015 to more than $2.8 billion at the end of fiscal year 2025, according to the state’s report. During the same period, annual claim expenditures have grown from $178 million to nearly $194 million.
Critics dispute safety claims
Worker advocates question assertions that expenditures remain moderate due to safe workplaces and a decline in work-related injuries. They say not all injuries are reported, while pointing to Wyoming’s chronic worst- or among-the-worst workplace fatality rates in the nation.
Yes, Wyoming’s workers’ compensation program works well when it comes to acute injuries with an easily defined recovery prognosis, some say. But the state tends to fight against expensive and prolonged claims related to things like back injuries, chronic pain and illnesses.
Any notion that Wyoming’s flush workers’ compensation fund is due to a strong workplace safety track record is “bullshit,” Wyoming AFL-CIO Executive Director Marcie Kindred said.
“I mean, we may have [fewer] claims,” Kindred told WyoFile, “but we still kill more people than any other state.” And she suggested that the state’s moderate workers’ compensation expenses might derive from Wyoming’s bootstraps mentality, which discourages injured workers from making a claim or fighting a challenge to a claim.
“I’m just picturing my guys having to, again and again, go to hearings and court cases in front of anybody in power and say, ‘I need help,’” Kindred continued. “It’s insurmountable, and it’s hard to get people to admit they need help.”
Asked to respond to such criticism, Wolfe, of workforce services, said, “The evidence actually shows our denial rate of claims to be fairly steady, with a slight decline over the last five years. The denial rate is approximately 5%-6% of annual claims.”
“Because the state is not a for-profit insurance company, it is perfectly appropriate to make sure that Wyoming businesses are paying a fair amount,” Lawyers and Advocates for Wyoming Director Mark Aronowitz told WyoFile.
“At the same time,” Aronowitz continued, “I believe that ‘sound cost containment and case management strategies’ should include a detailed analysis of all workplace fatalities and serious injuries in order to prevent similar incidents from ever occurring again.”
That type of deliberate, all-inclusive analysis is not happening in Wyoming, according to worker advocates.
“Resources wisely spent on injury prevention could help save the fund, and employers, millions of dollars over time,” Aronowitz added, “while, more importantly, reducing our perennially unacceptably high workplace fatality rate.”
CAMPBELL COUNTY, Wyo. — Rural EMS agencies across Wyoming are struggling to keep ambulances on the road amid an estimated $30 million annual funding gap, forcing crews to run high-mileage rigs over long highway stretches with little backup.
In Campbell County, one 2003 ambulance with roughly 300,000 miles on it lost a wheel while transporting a patient, an incident local leaders point to as a symbol of how close to the edge rural EMS has drifted, Cowboy State Daily reported.
|MORE: 10 things rural EMS providers need to consider
Because Wyoming does not classify EMS as an essential service, counties aren’t required to fund ambulance operations. Many services survive on a tenuous mix of small tax subsidies, grants, billing revenue and volunteer labor, even as call volumes climb and vehicle replacement costs soar.
A bill to declare EMS an essential service failed in 2023 after the Joint Health and Social Services Committee declined to advance it. Opponents warned that without new state funding, the mandate could shift costs onto local governments.
Winter only magnifies the risk. Crews face extended response times, icy roads and long transports between small towns and regional hospitals.
“The challenges that EMS faces during the winter months include but are not limited to: rapidly changing conditions, increased call volume, extended call times, and the difficulties that come with attempting to traverse the long lonely highways of Wyoming at all hours of the day with potential limited visibility, slick road conditions, and the fear of breaking down while on the road,” Campbell County Health Ambulance Services Director Shane Kirsch said.
Wyoming’s vast rural landscape means ambulance crews often have few backup options if something goes wrong on the road. Kirsch noted that long interfacility transfers can leave units on isolated stretches of highway for miles between towns and hospitals if equipment fails or a patient’s condition suddenly worsens.
As state leaders revisit the question of EMS funding and essential-service status, agency directors warn that the system can’t withstand many more failures, mechanical or otherwise. Without stable support, they say, Wyoming’s rural ambulance services will continue operating on borrowed time, leaving patients and providers increasingly vulnerable.
If your state does not consider EMS an essential service, how has that impacted your agency?
Marking back-to-back recognition, this year’s honor underscores First Due’s leadership in artificial intelligence for public safety
LARAMIE COUNTY, Wyoming — A three-day operation targeting undocumented commercial drivers conducted in the Wyoming county of Laramie has led to the arrest of 40 criminal aliens, Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak announced on Facebook Friday.
The operation involved the sheriff’s office, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to Kozak’s video post.
Kozak said law enforcement agents conducted 195 traffic stops and 133 commercial vehicle inspections, leading to 44 trucks and 38 drivers being taken out of service.
Deputies and agents targeted rural Laramie County roads, as, according to Kozak, undocumented commercial drivers often use those roads to avoid official inspection ports along the interstate.
“Our focus was to apprehend undocumented drivers, which tarnished the good reputation of professional commercial drivers who keep America moving,” Kozak said in the Facebook video.
Kozak said one of the arrested individuals had a previous conviction for sexual assault and had been deported twice.
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