OUTDOOR Adventures

By Brian G. Schommer

“It’s Playoff Baseball,” Hastings Hawks Outfielder Jordy Horsch said to me after a recent victory over the Jacks of Wanamingo, with a huge smile on his face. It may not be playoff time for the big leagues and all their multimilliondollar endorsement deals but here in our neck of the woods, it is playoff time. Minnesota and Wisconsin Amateur Baseball Playoffs are underway and thanks to a run of “gigs” this past weekend, my 2022 became a bit more memorable when it comes to music and baseball.

Last Monday morning found me by the computer pounding out the final submissions for “Outdoor Adventures” and the new “Out and About” feature for the Journal Newspapers. Deadline is Monday morning so, why would I have it done any sooner, right? Who knows what last minute things could happen while “Out and About?” To be honest, I can be a bit of a procrastinator. The week was pretty status quo with nothing outside of the norm until Thursday. Following a regularly scheduled civic organization meeting in the morning, I embarked on what became a very memorable threeday adventure. Detroit Lakes, Minnesota was destination number one to play music with Jake Nelson and the guys at WeFest (a HUGE personal dream of mine). We would play right before major Country Music star Jason Aldean, which was a bit nerve racking but that was quickly overcome. An outdoor music festival provides so many opportunities for adventure and the people watching is worth the price of admission. It was while driving to our bass players house in Albany to get some sleep after our set that the real adventure began.

I started thinking about all the great things I encountered on the road including an abundance of natural beauty with several forms of wildlife, fields, and forest dotting the landscape. A sense of peace and appreciation overtook my concern of “will I run out of gas before Albany” which nearly happened. I was reminded how sometimes we miss the chance to be grateful for what we have, because we are too busy complaining about what we lack. The five hours of sleep on a coach normally would not have been enough, but I slept like a baby. The next trek on the journey would be more amazing. I had absolutely no idea just how much awesome was ahead of me. The next music destination: The Sibley County Fair in Arlington, Minnesota.

With an abundance of time between shows, the opportunity to stop in Green Isle. The town is visible from the Highway with their landmark Church Steeple and across the street, the famous “Irish Yard,” Home of the Green Isle Irish. After walking around the ballpark, I ended up in Hamburg and hung out at the Hamburg Ball Park for a little while. I had been to both these parks before as they have all hosted various amateur tournaments, including the State Tourney that moves from location to location each year. Each yard has unique qualities with many of the same amenities that make them legendary at least among the baseball crowd. I got in the Jeep and drove towards Arlington. It is hard to miss the large water tower painted to resemble a baseball in “Atown.” The “Arlington A” ballpark is as legit as they come with 338 feet to the wall in left and 340 feet to the right field wall. Straight away centerfield is a poke as well. Signage illustrates the success of the local team and the numerous times the facility has hosted State Tournaments. Somehow, I ended up in Gaylord, just down the road a few miles from Arlington exploring Walsh Field. I had to laugh knowing many people would think I just wasted a bunch of time and could have been more productive doing other things. I would disagree.

After our gig at the Sibley County Fair, I laid in a bunk in Jake’s camper outside his house full of thanks and gratitude for everything the past two days had provided. The next morning, I drove back to Hastings to get ready for gig number three in Red Wing for River City Days. The gig, like the past two was awesome and making music and sharing that passion with others was as fulfilling as it gets. It came full circle, as that playoff game where Jordy Horsch said those three simple words, “It’s Playoff Baseball,” was also in Red Wing at “The Ath,” another legendary Minnesota ballpark.

If you are passionate about something, take the time to partake in your passion. Life is to be lived and unless you make the time to do so, it will soon pass you by and the opportunities will cease. Grasp the opportunities, and never forget to appreciate them. If you are searching for your passion, might I suggest three things. Focus on the positives. Eliminate the negatives, and of course, “Get Out and Enjoy the Great Outdoors.”