Town team baseball again going strong in New Richland

Published 12:00 am Saturday, July 5, 2003

NEW RICHLAND &045; The history of the New Richland Reds amateur baseball team goes back decades. But, like so many small town traditions, it almost became history for good.

Facing a numbers crunch, the Reds disbanded about 10 years ago. It seemed strange for a community steeped in baseball tradition, especially at the high school level, but for several years there was no town team ball in New Richland.

Now, a new generation of players are writing their own chapter in what has become the ongoing history of the Reds.

Email newsletter signup

In their third year under manager Gary Churchill,

the Reds are typical of many town teams in this era: They’re a little young, they could use more pitching, and they dream about putting it all together and reaching the elusive state tournament one of these years.

After finishing 9-15 the last two years and with a 6-7 record this summer, the 2003 Reds probably aren’t talking state tournament. But they have earned respect in the league and the area as a team that plays hard and isn’t likely to fold again anytime soon.

Churchill, who had coaching experience with a very successful LeSueur amateur baseball team before moving to New Richland, agreed to help get the Reds going again when he was approached by NRHEG High School baseball coach Jeff Reese. They attended a meeting of the 1360 League, which the Reds rejoined, and a baseball association was formed with Reese as president, Andy Otto vice president, Mark Querna secretary and Jeff Johnson treasurer. Churchill is one of several board members.

“There have been a lot of good major changes here,” said Churchill. “We got lights at the field, we sold advertising for the signs on the outfield fence. I think baseball is on the upswing here.”

There was some discussion of a new team nickname three years ago, according to Churchill, but at the suggestion of former New Richland Star Publisher Margaret Engesser it was decided to stick with the Reds. They’re in the Blue Division of the 1360 League along with Blue Earth, Minnesota Lake and Lake Crystal. The Red Division includes Waterville, Morristown, Eagle Lake and LeCenter.

The Reds lost their most recent game, falling 12-7 to Blue Earth at New Richland’s Legion Field Wednesday night. In their previous game, they beat Cleveland 14-1.

“We’ve kind of had some ups and downs,” said Churchill.

While mostly comprised of New Richland area players, the Reds have been sort of an all-star team of recent area high school graduates.

New Richland players include Jason Churchill, Josh Churchill, Dusty Reese, Clark Field, Tony Schlaak, Chris Olson, Seth Tukua, Jens Wyrum and Brett Shultz. Josh Otto and Dan Fitterer are from Ellendale, Ryan Barnick, Vinnie VanEnglenburg and Brandon Tukua from Alden, Kyle Utpadel from Hartland, Josh Delger from Glenville, Kris Pleiss from Albert Lea.

Some of them show up more than others.

Barnick played baseball at Gustavus Adolphus College and VanEnglenburg was on the junior varsity at Minnesota State-Mankato this past season. They, along with Otto, have been the mainstays of the pitching staff.

The starting lineup usually has Reese at first base, Schlaak at second, VanEnglenburg at shortstop, Brandon or Seth Tukua at third base, Jason Churchill at catcher, Utpadel in left field and Otto in center field. Several players have started in right field.

“We’ve got a good nucleus,” said Churchill. “And we’ve got some guys coming up that want to play next year that were on the high school team this year.”

While Churchill said he was “real excited” about this year’s prospects, the Reds have let leads slip away in some games.

“We’ve had some surprises,” he said. “Several times we’ve been ahead in the game. It’s hard to say what happened. Sometimes I think we’re not playing enough games. But, at the same time, you don’t want to burn them out either.”

The 2003 Reds have had a number of exciting games, according to Churchill, but some of their most exciting in recent years have been against the Albert Lea Colonels. The teams’ first meeting of the season was rained out, but they’re scheduled to play again July 17 at Legion Field.

“We like playing Albert Lea,” said Churchill. “It’s been fun for us because a lot of the players know each other.”

The Reds’ other remaining regular season games are today at Eagle Lake, Wednesday night at home against Cleveland and Saturday against LeCenter. The league playoffs start July 19.

Churchill is looking for a strong stretch run and, hopefully, maybe even a home playoff game.

“We’ve played some good ball,” said Churchill. “It’s just been some little things. If we can correct those, we’ll be all right I think.”