SPORTS
East Oregonian
B2
Saturday, May 22, 2021
Finally, the brothers hit a triple
LUKE
OVGARD
CAUGHT OVGARD
T
he year was 2005.
A 14-year-old Luke
took a break from
watching his younger
brother’s baseball game in
the Rogue Valley. Though
his brother, Jake, was quite
talented at the game, Luke
didn’t enjoy watching
sports. Not really.
Playing them was
great, but young Luke had
suff ered through the fi rst
game of the doubleheader,
and let’s face it: The level
of competition in middle
school just isn’t that high.
Bored out of his mind
and unwilling to slowly
bake in the early summer
sun, he went for a walk. At
fi rst, passers-by would see
a gangly boy circling the
edges of the small sports
park, counting ground
squirrels until he saw what
appeared to be a pond in
the distance. Grasshoppers
were everywhere, and as he
walked up to the bank, they
decided to commit mass
suicide, fl eeing his gargan-
tuan presence and dropping
into the water below, where
dozens of staging bluegills
devoured them.
Having grown up
on trout, Luke couldn’t
remember catching a blue-
gill. He had no fi shing
tackle, but that didn’t stop
him from running through
the fi elds like a madman to
chase grasshoppers into the
waiting mouths of shoreline
bluegills.
The following week, he
came prepared with a rod
and caught dozens of fi sh
on the very same suicidal
grasshoppers while Jake
played baseball nearby. A
single fi sherman, playing
Luke Ovgard/Contributed Photo
The fi rst time the author fi shed a baseball park pond was
during his brother Jake’s (pictured) game more than 15
years ago. Now, the author has come full circle and fi shed
with Jake at a baseball pond. They caught red devil cichlids
in the pond at the University of Hawaii.
Luke Ovgard/Contributed Photo
The author fi shed the Umatilla River during his brother
Gabe’s (pictured) Little League World Series qualifying
tournament in Pendleton. A dozen years later, they fi shed
a pond behind a baseball fi eld together and caught several
red devil cichlids like this.
the game.
Fast-forward a couple
years. Luke was now a
17-year-old high school
graduate, just a few weeks
post-ceremony. This time,
his younger brother, Gabe,
had a baseball tournament
in Pendleton. The stakes for
this tournament were a trip
to the Little League World
Series, and though it was
more competitive than the
games years before, it was
still youth baseball.
Luke watched a few
games, but inevitably found
the days-long tournament a
little stale and decided to go
for a walk, this time fi nd-
ing his way to a slow-mov-
ing oxbow in the Umatilla
River where he caught
northern pikeminnows left
and right.
Though Gabe joined him
in the evenings at McKay
Reservoir, it was still a
baseball trip, and Luke
fi shed more by himself or
with Jake more often than
not, a double.
More than 15 years from
the very fi rst baseball park
pond, Luke fi nally had a
chance to fi sh with both
brothers while the game
was underway. Not in
Oregon, this time, but while
on a mini vacation for a
friend’s wedding in Hawaii.
On the University of
Hawaii campus, as base-
ball and spring football and
a track meet harmonized
to form an athletic din
of background noise, the
Ovgard brothers caught fi sh
after fi sh in the small drain-
age pond on campus.
Bluegills and pikemin-
nows weren’t present, but
there was no shortage of
invasive species: red devil
cichlids, jaguar guapote,
banded jewel cichlids and
even one smallmouth bass
obliged the Ovgard bros
that day, creating the fi rst
triple he’d ever had.
If Gabe’s wife, Rylee,
decides to join them on a
ballpark fi shing trip some
day, it might just be a home
run, but a triple was what
Luke had always wanted
and fi nally got.
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Kathy Aney/East Oregonian
Umatilla players and coaches have a timeout during a non-
conference game against Irrigon on May 20, 2021.
Masks:
Continued from Page B1
same manner as Seasons 2
and 3 — run at the local or
regional level.
Season 4 includes basket-
ball, wrestling and swim-
ming. Each of those sports
were granted additional
contests, as well. Basket-
ball can have four additional
games, swimming gets two
additional dates and wres-
tlers get one extra date, two
added weigh-ins and five
more mat appearances.
June 21-27 is the culmi-
nating week for Season 4.
Seasons 2 and 3 have seen
regional and even state-
wide events put together by
schools. Weber said OSAA
hasn’t been overly involved
in these larger events, but
has provided support when
schools had questions.
“We’re not in drawing
brackets, but trying to be a
resource for athletic direc-
tors, whether it’s the local
tournament, or regional
things, or the stuff that is
even a little larger,” he said.
CBYF:
HERMISTON
BULLDOGS
Continued from Page B1
line, and to get a fi rst down,
the team must move the ball
to at least the 20.
If the offense throws a
completed pass, the defense
only needs to touch the
player with the ball to stop
the action.
“The game has gotten
really big,” Alvarez said.
“There’s less of a chance of
getting concussions. The
7-on-7 league is in the spring,
which helps make them better
for regular football in the fall.
They are constantly playing.”
Roster — Aiden Alvarez,
Robby Akers, Emmanuel
Bravo, Isaac Corey, Jared
Garcia, Dale Krebs Jr.,
Cayden Mallory, Owen
Osmin, Jairo Ramirez,
Kolton Troppman and
Nathan Waelty. Head
coach — Chris Mallory.
Assistant coach — Ser-
gio Alvarez.
After the May 22 tourna-
ment, the team will play in
a tournament on May 23 in
Salem.
EASTERN OREGON
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EAST OREGONIAN • HERMISTON HERALD • BLUE MOUNTAIN EAGLE • WALLOWA COUNTY CHIEFTAIN
204 Automobiles
WRECKING YARD
We pay $200 and up
We buy All Cars and Trucks.
Damaged, Non-Running,
Unwanted.
509-370-1091/876-8777
UPSE AUTO
354 Auction Sales
AUCTION NOTICE!!!!
Estate Sale
Sunday, June 6th, 2021
Bidding starts at
10am SHARP!!!
Location: 665 W William St,
Adams, OR 97810
Columbia River Auction, LLC
Auctioneer: Paul Kramer
541-571-5771
For pictures and listing look
up Columbia River Auction
LLC on Facebook
You can
find your
dream home
Check out our
Real Estate Listings
in the Classifieds
GARAGE SALE?
Advertise it here
in the classifieds!
It’s so easy to get your
Classified ad! Just call
800-962-2819
This Estate is loaded with
top of the line ANTIQUES!!
Something for everyone.
AUCTION!
Sunday, May 23, 2021
80824 Kik Lane, Hermiston
Auction starts at 11am.
The preview begins at 9.
Masks are required and there
must be social distancing.
Some of the items for the auc-
tion are: Two cars one runs
other doesn’t, shopsmith,
Husqvarna k750 concrete
saw, Snapper snow blower
excellent condition, scroll
saw, tile cutter, Stihl leaf
blower, 20 plus Golf carts,
collectible shotgun shells,
Fine jewelry, marbles, collect-
ible coins, silver dollars mer-
cury dimes and Roosevelt
pennies, old radios Redwing
crock, St. Louis meat cleaver,
cookie jar collection, Fenton
glassware, cast iron tractor
seats, handmade stagecoach
lamp, very collectible 1800s
settee and chair, 25 tele-
phone poles, Ford 600 tractor
not running, 3.0 gopher get-
ter. Many more items!
Text FORDSAUCTION to
844-957-2516 to subscribe
to our newsletter. For photos
and lists go to Fords Auc-
tion on Facebook. We ac-
cept cash, check, and credit
cards. 10% buyer’s premium
in place. All items are as is.
Contact us for consignments
and estate sales.
Ford Bonney: 541-561-5798
360 Garage Sales
504 Homes for Sale
Contractor Estate/Multi-Family
Garage Sale. May 21-22, 8am,
May 23 10am-2pm. Town &
Country Storage 1350 SW Tutu-
illa Rd, Pendleton.
GIANT YARD SALE
Household items, tools, furniture
etc. Friday 9-5pm, Saturday 9-5.
Cash only. 1310 West Elm Ave,
Hermiston.
Prices are up! Now may be the
time to gain some equity and
move up to a larger home. Call
Matt Vogler for a free Market
Analysis.
Matt Vogler
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
UPCOMING GARAGE OR
ESTATE SALE?
Call 1-800-962-2819
to advertise it in our
classified section and get
your sale out there!
Estate Sale
Appliances, 07 Harley Night-
Train, Buick, Men’s clothes,
Yard tools, Collectibles, Furni-
ture, Household Items,
1099 E Gladys Hermiston. Fri
Sat Sun 5/28-30 9am - 4pm
MOVING SALE -
EVERYTHING GOES!
Saturday 5/22 and Sunday 5/23.
10am-6pm. 70092 S. Market
Rd., Pendleton OR. One queen
size beds, recliner, oak dining
room table with 4 chairs, lots of
misc.
Athena
City Wide Yard Sales
Saturday, May 22nd,
8am-3pm.
Multiple sales throughout
town. Maps will be available
Saturday morning at the
grocery stores. Multi-Fam-
ily, Clothes, Collectibles,
Furniture, Household Items,
Antiques, Tools, Toys.
City Wide, Athena.
502 Real Estate
How Much is your Home Worth?
Call Matt Vogler, The Week-
end and After Hours Realtor,
for a free Market Analysis.
541.377.9470. More Listings
needed to meet current buyer
demand!
Matt Vogler
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
Classified Ads work hard for you!
Current MLS listings include
several 3 and 4 bedroom, 2 bath
homes for sale in popular loca-
tions. Call Matt Vogler, “The
Weekend and After Hours Re-
altor” for addresses and pricing.
Matt Vogler
John J. Howard & Assoc.
541.377.9470
How Much is your Home Worth?
Call Matt Vogler, The Week-
end and After Hours Realtor,
for a free Market Analysis.
541.377.9470. More Listings
needed to meet current buyer
demand!
Matt Vogler
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
651 Help Wanted
JM Eagle of Umatilla, Or.
The world’s largest plastic
pipe company is seeking a
CLASS A CDL
TRUCK DRIVER
for our fast paced shipping
department. Full time hours
will vary daily Monday-Friday.
Must have a current medical
card and clean driving record.
Hourly wage DOE, excellent
benefits, paid holidays.
$500 signing bonus based
on NO ABSENCES,
NO TARDINESS and
NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
New hires will receive $200
after 60 working days and
$300 at the end of 6 months.
Apply in person at 31240
Roxbury Rd, Umatilla, OR
97882 or send resume to:
branditurner@jmeagle.com
Sell anything right here!
651 Help Wanted
JM Eagle of Umatilla, Or.
The world’s largest plastic
pipe company is seeking a
PRODUCTION
LINE OPERATOR
No experience necessary,
employer is willing to train.
Requirements:
• 18 years old
• Pass drug screen and
background check
• Work any day of the week
including weekends and
holidays.
Pay is $15-16 per hour DOE.
Hours are 7am-7pm or 7pm-
7am. Great benefit package,
medical, 401K and retire-
ment.
$500 signing bonus,
based on
NO ABSENCES,
NO TARDINESS and
NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
New hires will receive $200
after 60 working days and
$300 at the end of 6 months.
Apply in person at 31240
Roxbury Rd, Umatilla OR.
97882 or send resume to:
branditurner@jmeagle.com
CLASSIFIEDS
Looking for a new place to
live? The classified ads offer
a complete section of homes,
apartments, and mobile
homes to fit your needs.
Check daily for new listings!
651 Help Wanted
The City of Pendleton is
accepting applications for
Operations & Maintenance
Specialist at the Airport. For
more information and to ap-
ply visit
www.pendleton.or.us/
employment
Community Counseling Solu-
tions is currently recruiting
a Peer Support Supervisor
in Morrow County to provide
guidance and encouragement
to individuals working through
hardships while drawing on
common experience as a
peer. This position will men-
tor and oversee all peers to
accomplish CCS’ mission and
goal.  Successful candidates
must possess a high school
diploma or equivalent plus 1
year of experience and history
as a peer in addiction, behav-
ioral health or developmen-
tal disabilities, as well as the
ability to become a Personal
Support Specialist, Certified
Recovery Mentor or a Person-
al Wellness Specialist within 9
months of hire. You must be
able to pass a criminal back-
ground check and have a valid
driver’s license and personal
auto insurance in compliance
with agency policy. Wages for
this exciting position range
from $46,200 to $68,300 and
includes an excellent benefit
package. If interested, please
go to communitycounseling-
solutions.org and upload your
application and resume. EOE.
Position open until filled.
CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!