12
July 20, 2011
The Woodbine Twiner
Sports Lady Tigers softball team ends season at .500 CAYDE SPRECKER For The Twiner The Lady Tiger’s season had symmetry to it in 2011. Exactly 30 games were played with 15 wins and 15 losses making their record .500. The eliminating loss in the regional tournament to the Treynor Cardinals (now one of the eight teams headed to Fort Dodge for the State Finals after securing a berth with a 2-0 win over Hinton July 13) was hard to take. Numbers don’t lie and for the Lady Tigers the statistics they put up this year might be a way to keep their heads up. The promise of next year can be seen in this season’s stats, especially on a team returning all but one of its players (graduating Senior outfielder Bekka Boer) next year. In 939 at-bats this season, the Lady Tiger’s put ball to bat for an average of .242. That’s 227 hits, 58 doubles, 18 triples and one homerun counted. With that display of hitting prowess, the Lady Tigers put 182 runners around the bases (that’s an average of about six runs a game). One hundred and fifty of those runs were batted in by Tiger
teammates for RBIs. When balls were being hit at the Lady Tigers this season they managed to hold things together, racking up one 173 assists and 583 put outs. Eleven opposing runners were caught stealing out of the 72 runs that opponents made to cheat up a base. In other words, the Lady Tigers sent just over 15 percent of all would be base thieves back to the dugout, and the errors were held to 73 over the course of the season or about two and a half errors per game. The pitching staff entered also put some numbers in the books not the least impressive of which is an opponent batting average of 0.166. In 201 2/3 innings, the Lady Tiger pitching staff walked 127 batters and put 227 batters away with three strikes right across the plate. The Lady Tigers even picked up a shutout in the 2011 season. Head Coach Rita Melby seems to be steering Woodbines softball future in a new direction. Her statement at the beginning of the season that this would be a “rebuilding year” will hopefully come across as true when the Lady Tigers return to the diamond in the Hannah Goodrich takes her turn at bat during a June 29 game against Whiting. summer of 2012. The Lady Tigers finished their season 15-15. Photo: Jeff Davis
Five steps to a winning start for the year Alegent Health is asking the public to recognize the importance of keeping young athletes on the playing field – and off – by stressing the importance of health screenings and overall wellness. “A sports exam quickly identifies immediate health issues to address before your child can safely play a sport, but it’s no substitute for a complete physical,” Harry Cohen, M.D., a physician with Alegent Health Clinic in Woodbine, said. While sports physicals clear the way for your child to play athletics, a complete wellness exam is required in Iowa before a child enters kindergarten, seventh grade or transfers from an out-of-state school. However, children of any age reap benefits from a doctor’s visit. Cohen suggests five ways to help children enjoy a winning season
and healthy school year: 1. Get in shape. Focus on the activity your child enjoys doing. In addition, you can guide your child in writing an exercise plan with a schedule of weekly workout times, and encourage him to keep track of how long he worked out and his activity (cardio, lifting, etc.). This can make it easier to change things up, Cohen said. And remember, specific stretching or strengthening activities can help prevent injuries. 2. Set realistic goals. Before the sports season starts, set a few goals. Just having goals can be a great motivator. 3. Schedule a sports physical early. Set up a sports physical about six weeks before the season begins to allow time for follow-up if you need one. This physical involves: A medical history with questions about: serious illnesses
or sudden death among family members; allergies; childhood illnesses; chronic past injuries; hospitalizations; and medications. Student athletes may be asked if they use drugs, alcohol or dietary supplements, including steroids, performance enhancers or diet pills. The physical exam with special attention to: blood pressure and pulse, heart murmurs, vision, breathing and posture, flexibility and muscle strength. 4. Consider a sports camp. Sports camps can help players brush up on skills before the season starts. Many schools offer various camps during the summer. 5. Be proactive with annual wellness exams. “A well-child exam is important for kids of all ages to assure they are as healthy as possible before going back to school,” said Dr. Cohen. “This is often the only
visit most of them have with their doctor every year, and it’s invaluable.” During the exam, your doctor takes a complete medical history and conducts a physical including: growth and development; heart, lungs and other system functions; vision and hearing; updates vaccinations; checks reflexes; and screens for scoliosis, high cholesterol levels, diabetes and lead poisoning. Depending on your child’s age, your doctor may also discuss everything from bicycle helmet safety to concerns about alcohol, drugs, smoking and sexual activity. This is also a time to talk about wellness topics, such as diet and exercise. “Certainly physicians are paying more attention to childhood obesity and talk with kids about the healthy choices they can make at school.” Cohen said.
Tigers end season with a 10-9 loss CAYDE SPRECKER For The Twiner The Woodbine Tigers first season under head coach Jeff Powers, came to an end much as was predicted with a 10-9 loss to nearby rival the Boyer Valley Bulldogs July 13. The team had just five wins going into the post-season, but there was precedent for Tiger victory in a 13-9 win over the Bulldogs June 6. The knowledge of previous wins wasn’t quite enough for the Tigers who ended their season with a .210 batting average, 97 runs scored, and 101 hits recorded. The Woodbine team, which remained without the benefit of seniors all season, sprinted for 18 doubles, a lone triple and walked 82 times in 482 atbats. While on the defensive side of the game, the Tigers committed 63 errors and managed to catch eight runners stealing bases. The season gave them 227 two putouts. In dealing with pitching staff, opponents averaged .224 and were struck out 134. Eighty-six batters took their bases, 76 were walked and the other 10 took a pitch from the Tigers to the body. The Tigers are poised to return the entire team from this year and, with lessons learned from a 2011 building season, may have a more successful 2012 season.
Agricultural disaster designation declared for Harrison County On July 14, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad approved a proclamation to help low-income families affected by flooding along the Missouri River. Branstad approved an individual assistance grant program to help residents in Harrison County as well as the counties of Woodbury,
Monona, Pottawattamie, Mills and Fremont. The program provides grants to families with household incomes at or below twice the federal poverty level. The maximum grant a family can receive is $5,000. The Army Corps of Engineers announced it was projecting smaller
releases at Gavins Point Dam. Weather permitting, Corps officials plan to drop to 155,000 cubic feet per second of water on July 30 and 150,000 cfs by Aug. 1. The release rate has been 160,000 cfs since June 25. According to Colonel Robert Ruch, commander for the Omaha District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this is not the time to let down their guard. Ruch said he’d seen some “sunny” news reports and he wants “to make sure that folks don’t
get too happy.” In helpful news to the agricultural area, the United States Department of Agriculture has approved Branstad’s request for a disaster designation in six Iowa counties including Harrison. A disaster designation makes farm operators in both primary and contiguous counties eligible to be considered for assistance from the FSA, provided eligibility requirements are met. The assistance includes FSA loans and Supplemental
Revenue Assistance Payments Program. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of a disaster declaration to apply for emergency loan assistance. Also available to Iowa residents who have United Healthcare HawkI insurance. It is helping those affected by the ongoing floods in Iowa. Assistance includes special measures to help ensure UnitedHealthcare Hawk-I plan participants residing in counties that have declared a state of
emergency continue to have access to care and prescription medications and financial support of the Red Cross’ relief efforts in affected communities. They can call (800) 464-9484 to contact customer service. The Iowa Department of Transportation deactivated its temporary flood-related road information call center as of July 12. Road closures continue and Iowa travelers may continue to call 511 for automated road closure information or (800) 288-1047.
YOU GET MORE! MORE
MORE Internet speed
Cable channels
FOR ONLY
MORE Phone features
74.99
$
406 E. Erie St. Missouri Valley, IA Ç£Ó°Èää°ÈÓxäÊUÊ777° " -° " - ,6 - "18 Ê ",Ê"6 ,ÊÇäÊ9 ,Promotional rate valid for 12 mo. when new customers subscribe to Complete Connections promotional bundle. Requires 1 yr. agreement secured with credit/debit card or ACH payment. Subject to availability. Some restrictions apply. Limited time offer.