• They play the longest season of all the Groton baseball teams and now the 15-16 Teeners are ready to start their post season play. Region 3A VFW baseball tournament starts August 2 at Locke-Karst Locke Field in Groton and looks to be a competitive field. Other teams in the tournament are Big Stone City, Webster, Sisseton, Mobridge, Milbank and Britton. The boys have been practicing in preparation for the 8 team tournament. If they win the entire tournament they will have the opportunity to play in the state tournament this year, which will be in Tyndall August 10^th, 11^th and 12^th. Ryan Koehler, coach of the teeners baseball team, said, "Our hopes for this tournament are to win. We have been practicing physically and mentally."
• Every team has their strengths and weaknesses. Koehler says, "We have very good pitching but we do have a tendency to lose focus." They will have to overcome their weaknesses to win the region tournament. They will also have to be on their best game to beat their opponents. "Our hardest competition in this tournament is Big Stone City," says Koehler.
• Their goal is to win the region tournament so they can represent Groton in the South Dakota State 3A. "They are the best team I have coached so far," says Koehler.
• As mentioned earlier, the 15-16Teeners play a longer schedule than even the Legion program does. Their season starts in the first week of June and runs through August 12^th. The day before high school football practice begins!

• - Sydney Thorson

Thursday, Aug. 2
Noon: Big Stone City/Ortonville vs. Mobridge
2:30 p.m.: Selby/Eureka vs. Sisseton
5 p.m.: Milbank vs. Groton

Redfield plays the winner of Big Stone City/Ortonville--Mobridge at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Others games are played on Friday, Saturday and the championship game is slated for 2 p.m. on Sunday.