Miners are hosting Region 10C Tournament

HIBBING—Since the formation of the Hibbing amateur baseball team, the Miners have never hosted a Region Tournament

That ends today when Hibbing hosts the Region 10C Tournament beginning at 10 a.m. at Al Nyberg Field.

In game one, Roseau takes on Fergus Falls, followed by Detroit Lakes and Bemidji at 1 p.m. In the third game, Dilworth and Hawley play at 4 p.m., then in the nightcap, Hibbing takes on Ada at 7 p.m.

The Region 10C consists of teams from the Northwest Border League, which the Miners, Roseau and Bemdiji are a part of, and and the Red River League, with teams from Ada, Fergus Falls, Detroit Lakes and Dilworth and Hawley.

It should be a good weekend for baseball\

“People, they’re going to see guys that have either played or currently played college baseball,” Hibbing manager Adam Schafer said. “It’s as competitive of baseball as you’re going to see at this level.

“I’ve been around since 2010 as either a player or manager, so in 14 years, we’ve never had this opportunity. These are all fundamental baseball teams. The competition will be good, and there will be a lot of emotion. It means a lot to these teams. It’s high-level baseball.”

The nicest part is that Hibbing doesn’t have to travel.

“We do a lot of traveling every summer to get games in,” Schafer said. “It will feel good to sleep in our beds and to play at our home park. We don’t have to travel that 3-plus hours, which we have done, which feels like forever.”

When the opportunity arose to do this, Schafter jumped at the chance.

“It happened mid-winter, like in February,” Schafer said. “The regions guys asked people if the wanted to host to speak up. It was between us and Detroit Lakes, so we put in for it.

“The Northwest Border has not hosted it for three years, so the region and state said it was our turn to do it. We were able to get it.”

Now that it’s here, what kind of shape are the Miners in to repeat as 10C champions?

“We haven’t had a competitive game in two weeks,” Schafer said. “We had that hitting session last Saturday, but some guys have gone on their own to get some work in the hitting department, getting their timing down.

“Our offense has been good the second half of the season, but the biggest thing is focusing on the offensive aspect of things. It might take an inning or two, or one time through the order of seeing live pitching again.”

Schafer doesn’t expect any issues there.

“These guys are college-level hitters,” he said. “They do a good job of being prepared and being good in competitive situations.”

On the pitching side of things, Hibbing should have plenty of arms to get though the double-elimination tournament.

“We have as much depth than in any season I’ve been here,” Schafer said. “This gives us a lot of flexibility, especially playing just two games in a day. We’ll have all hands on deck.

“It’s not like having to save arms like we would have to do in other tournaments. With three or four games, we can utilize everybody. Depth should be a positive for us.”

According to Schafer, Lane Gerber will get the starting nod against the Athletics.

“He pitched against them last year when we beat them in the semifinals,” Schafer said. “He’s a guy that wants the ball. He’s going to compete for us. He’s a reliable pitcher, and that’s why he’s starting game one.”

If the Miners have one area of concern, it would be defensively.”

“Of the three phases, we’ve had more miscues, either physical or mental, on the defensive side of the ball,” Schafer said. “If we eliminate those, we’ll be solid in all three phases.

“It’s about being focused on every pitch, every at bat for all nine innings. The focus part will be the key.”

As for Ada, Schafer knows the Athletics won’t be an easy beat.

“They’re a veteran group,” he said. “Within the last decade, they’ve had their fare share of state appearances. They have a handful of brothers and cousins playing together for years.

“They’re a formidable opponent. We won that game last year, but it took us until the middle innings to break it open. We’re expecting a competitive baseball game.”

Being defending champs doesn’t necessarily help Hibbing’s chances.

“We have a target on our back,” Schafer said. “We’re not necessarily well liked, especially by the Red River teams. We’re the new team in the region. Those other teams aren’t happy that we’re hosting it.

“They have to travel three hours to play. There might be some tension or animosity there, but we’re focused on our own play, and taking care of business in getting back to state.”

Winner’s bracket games will be played Sunday at 3 and 6 p.m. Elimination-bracket games will be held at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The teams surviving this weekend will play next Saturday at 12 p.m. (elimination bracket) and 4 p.m. (winner’s bracket). Two teams will advance to the state tournament.

Schafer is hoping this team will be in the mix next weekend.

“It’s continuing to play how we’ve played offensively,” Schafer said. “Our pitchers need to throw strikes, and we have to be efficient. We have to make plays on defense to back our pitchers up.

“We’re going to score runs, so if we have our pitching and defense, we’ll be in a good spot. The key is winning that first one. It’s a long road back if you don’t. We’ll do everything we can to win the first one today.”