Shiner-Maud game postponed by rain
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Mike Forman, Victoria Advocate Sports Writer
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AUSTIN - The Shiner Comanches spent six hours at Disch-Falk Field on Wednesday and did not play an inning.
The Comanches became quite familiar with the third-base dugout and the concession stand as they watched the rain fall for most of the day.
The rain turned the Disch-Falk outfield into a pond and forced postponement of Shiner's Class 1A state tournament semifinal game against Maud. The Class 3A semifinal games scheduled for Wednesday were also postponed.
The Comanches (21-9) and Cardinals (24-2-2) will try again today at 8 a.m., and the winner will advance to the championship game against Follett.
Follett captured a 1-0 semifinal win over Pineland West Sabine before the rain started just after noon.
Shiner coach Daniel Boedeker said he was told by UIL officials the Class 1A championship game could be played Friday at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The teams won't be able to play at Disch-Falk on Friday because Texas and Vanderbilt are scheduled to begin their NCAA Super Regional.
"Our emotions were up to play a big game, but all you can do is regroup," Boedeker said. "All we can do is get to bed early and get up real early, and come back to the stadium and take care of business."
The biggest plus for Shiner is the delay gives starting pitcher Garet Pustka another day of rest. Pustka threw 109 pitches in Saturday's Game 3 regional final win over Thorndale, after throwing 137 pitches in Game 1 last Wednesday.
"I've never pitched that early in the morning," Pustka said. "But I'll be up for it."
Boedeker said his team would go back to the hotel and return to Disch-Falk at 6:30 a.m. to prepare for the early start.
"My biggest concern is to get us refocused," Boedeker said. "We were geared up to play today. We just have to come out tomorrow (Thursday) with the same approach."
Boedeker is no stranger to weather delays at the state tournament. Boedeker pitched for Shiner's 1992 Class 2A state championship team that was forced to start the state final a few hours late because of rain the previous night.
"They pretty much have you on hold," Boedeker said. "There's not much you can do except wait and come out ready to play."
NOTES: Shiner won the coin flip and will be the home team in the semifinal...The Shiner- Maud game will be broadcast on KYKM, 92.5 FM, and KTXM, 99.9 FM.
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