Itasca County Historical Review

1994

July 6, 1994: “Legion team sweeps Duluth, rips Deer River”

The Grand Rapids American Legion baseball team won all three of its games recently. Grand Rapids downed Deer River 11-0 in a four-inning game Thursday, June 30, and then swept a doubleheader from West Duluth Sunday, July 3, at Wade Stadium.

In the game at Deer River rain shortened the game to four innings with Grand Rapids leading 11-0. Chris Brown was the winning pitcher as he allowed two hits while striking out four in going the distance.

Leading the Grand Rapids offense were Jon Cleveland with three hits and two runs batted in, Brian Simonson with a double and single and two RBIs and Mark Hanson with two hits and two RBIs. Andy Haanpaa and Bob Kuschel both had doubles while Mark Edminster added a single.

In the doubleheader in Duluth, Grand Rapids won the first game 9-1. It took a 7-0 lead after one inning on five hits coupled with four West Duluth walks and two errors. All nine Grand Rapids starters had at least one single in the game. Leading Grand Rapids was Dan Piilola with two hits. Brian Simonson pitched the first three innings for Grand Rapids, giving up one run on one hit and striking out four.

Grand Rapids won the second game versus West Duluth 10-1. Brown threw a two-hitter and struck out eight. Eric Simonson had a double and single to lead Grand Rapids offensively. Also contributing were Cleveland with a double while Jeremy Desnoyers, Luke Schipper, Piilola, Kevin Titus, and Guy Clairmont all added singles.

July 6, 1994: “Last bicycle ride of season set”

The last bicycle ride of the Arrowhead Bicycling Coalition (ABC) in the Grand Rapids area will be Saturday, July 9. Participants should meet at the Itasca County Courthouse parking lot at 10 a.m. The ride will be 44 miles long and will have several rest areas for the casual cycler. The majority of the route will be on lightly traveled county roads but the group will be on Highway 169 for two miles between 9-mile corner (County Road 67) and the Sugar Lake Road (County Road 17). Organizers of the ride are asking motorists to watch out for the cyclists on the narrow shoulders of the highway.

ABC is being organized to support/promote safe bicycling opportunities throughout northeastern Minnesota by improving roadway shoulders and organizing bicycle routes.