AN EMPTY TRIP: Eskymos-Northmen Rained Out

SAULT STE. MARIE---The Escanaba Eskymos and Petoskey Northmen sat out a lengthy rain delay on Wednesday in Sault Ste. Marie, and then after the field was almost ready for baseball, another downpour sent both teams home. The MHSAA Division Two regional semifinal game was postponed, and will be played on Thursday evening in Petoskey.

Escanaba Manager Scott Hanson agreed to play the game in Petoskey, giving the Northmen home-field advantage, rather than try to play at another neutral site on Thursday. There is rain in the forecast again on Thursday, although not as widespread. And the regional championship game and Super Regional quarterfinals are already scheduled for Saturday in Petoskey.

"There aren't a lot of great options," Hanson said. "Their field is great, and they've got lights, so they end up in a weather situation, they can just extend it, and we can get it in. It (Turcott Field) is tarped, and they have the resources. The reality is they are technically the host for the entire regional. We've on on that field before, so I'm not afraid to play on that field."

On Wednesday, the Eskymos boarded the charter bus at 10:15 a.m., and arrived in Sault Ste. Marie at 2 p.m. for the 4 p.m. scheduled first pitch. The Northmen arrived a short time later, but there was a steady rain falling at James Field, which does not have lights.

Finally, at around 5 p.m., the rain stopped, and a crew of about a dozen men raked and dragged the field, dumping 75 bags of absorbant sand onto the infield. They even resorted to use a kitty-litter-type mixture as well. They planned for a 6:30 start, the teams took batting practice at the softball field across the street, and the pitchers started warming up.

Moments before the new start time, a heavy downpour further soaked the field, and at that point, the decision was made to call the game. Because many of the Eskymo players who are underclassmen have final exams Thursday morning, the team came home, arriving at 10 p.m.

All together, the team spent about eleven hours on the bus, both there and back, and for three hours at the field. The passed the time playing cards and watching the weather radar.

"I give a lot of credit to the Sault players and coaches and atheltic director," Hanson said. "They put a ton of time, working just non-stop the last three hours. This last rain was kind of the nail in the coffin, but the field was bad, between around shortstop and third base. Sometimes, it is what it is. It sucks. I don't know what else to say about it."

The Eskymos will get back on the bus Thursday at noon, after the kids wrap up the school year with their final exams. The game will start at 5:30, and will be broadcast live on WCHT-FM/AM (93.5/600) and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.