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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (June 26, 2021)
SN THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM SATURDAY EDITION | JUNE 26, 2021 | $1.00 Siuslaw News Sports & Lifestyle Tide Tables Entrance Siuslaw River Siuslaw sports – A year in review Siuslaw athletes got the chance to practice, compete and excel in a number of sports despite the COVID-19 pandemic. High Tide Low Tide June 22 5:54 a.m. / -1.0 12:13 p.m. / 5.0 5:29 p.m. / 1.9 11:28 p.m. / 7.5 June 23 6:45 a.m. -1.6 1:12 p.m. 5.3 6:24 p.m. 2.0 June 24 12:17 a.m. / 7.7 7:34 a.m. / -1.9 2:05 p.m. / 5.5 7:18 p.m. / 2.1 June 25 1:06 a.m. / 7.7 8:22 a.m. / -2.1 2:56 p.m. / 5.7 8:11 p.m. / 2.1 June 26 1:56 a.m. / 7.5 9:10 a.m. / -2.0 3:46 p.m. / 5.7 9:05 p.m. / 2.1 By Zeahna Young/Siuslaw News It was a trying year for student athletics, but because of Athletic Directors (ADs) and coaches like Siuslaw’s Chris Johnson, Oregon schools more than muddled through. As a re- sult of the tireless efforts of Johnson and his colleagues, kids were afforded the opportunity of playing every sport Siuslaw normally has available. In fact, this year saw two brand new teams added to the Vikings’ available list of ac- tivities: varsity boys’ soccer and the clay target shooting team. However, no one knew, often up until the week before events were set to begin, whether or not the activities would actually be able to take place. And even then, the COVID-19 pan- demic forced many cancelations and schedule changes throughout each season played. “Up until the last minute, football was not going to happen, basketball was not going to happen, wrestling was not going to happen,” said Johnson, “and then they all happened. So, whatever we had to do collectively or individ- ually to dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s was worth it because kids got to participate. That was always the end game. “And that’s the silver lining in all this; we had See REVIEW page 2B June 27 2:46 a.m. / 7.2 09:57 a.m. / -1.7 4:34 p.m. / 5.7 10:00 p.m. / 2.1 June 28 3:37 a.m. / 6.7 10:44 a.m. / -1.2 5:22 p.m. / 5.7 10:58 p.m. / 2.1 June 29 4:31 a.m. / 6.0 11:31 a.m. / -0.7 6:09 p.m. 5.6 June 30 5:28 a.m. / 5.4 12:00 a.m. / 2.0 6:56 p.m. / 5.6 12:17 p.m. / -0.1 Oregonians urged to practice preparedness and wilderness safety when recreating Oregon’s search and res- cue community has seen a steady increase in search and rescue missions since the COVID-19 pandem- ic began. As summer ap- proaches and restrictions lift, more Oregonians and visitors are heading out to enjoy and explore the state’s beautiful landscape. The Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is urging the public to stay safe with advance planning and preparation before their next outdoor adventure. “I can’t stress enough how important it is for people to make a plan before head- ing out to explore the out- doors,” said State Search and Rescue Coordinator Scott Lucas. “Know your limits and make sure to carry the proper equipment and sup- plies — even if you’re only planning to be out for a few hours.” According to Lucas, the search and rescue commu- nity, particularly in rural counties, has seen a sig- nificant increase in rescue missions, including those requiring advanced search and rescue equipment. In Wallowa County alone, there were two search and rescue missions in 2017, while 2020 saw 40 missions in the same area during the pandemic. The search and rescue community is also seeing an upsurge in inexperienced people visiting more remote areas. With more and more people seeking solace or adventure in the outdoors, popular parks and outdoor recreation areas are becom- ing overcrowded, leading some to venture into less populated but unfamiliar terrain. “We are seeing rescues in remote areas where folks are heading out based on recommendations they find online or from a friend, but they aren’t prepared for the reality of the landscape,” explained Lucas. “Oregon is beautiful but can be dan- gerous, especially for those who are new to outdoor rec- reation.” He added that more mis- sions are requiring moun- tain rescues and air assets rather than volunteer teams, because people are more often putting themselves in life-threating situations. Time Out Playing in the Wind I was reminded of the wind factor during a recent baseball tournament held at Miller Park. I watched as players on all teams mis- judged the ball in the air. Longtime residents and sports fans will agree the wind blows hardest at Mill- er Park and the Fred Mey- er parking lot. Park facing north and you can push your car door open. If you face south, you better have a strong grip to prevent your car door from damaging your hinges. If you do not hold firmly to your cart, it may get away from you and strike another car. Now back to fly balls. Pitching slow pitch soft- ball in the wind is a chal- lenge. I pitched for a decade in the wind and developed some degree of accuracy. One time, our team was playing in a tournament in Eugene. We were near the airport and the wind was blowing. Opposing teams walked many of our batters while I walked few. When I was asked by opposing pitchers how I managed the wind factor, I told them this is just a breeze compared to the wind at our home park. As the varsity baseball coach for Siuslaw, we played our home games in the field below the Florence Events Center. Our dugouts and infield were shielded from direct wind. That does not mean fly balls were “cans of corn,” an expression meaning an easy play. Balls hit high enough caught the winds blowing from the hilltop. Balls hit in foul ter- ritory, from the first or third base lines, could and did often end up fair. When the first baseman calls for the ball that is eventually caught by the shortstop, you know there is a strong wind even though it is not felt at field level. When the temperature goes up in the valley, the winds go up in Florence. Unlike games called due to rain, baseball and softball games are played in winds so strong a players’ body bends running against it. I have seen a T-ball player throw a ball towards first I arrived in Florence over four decades ago. Since then, I have played, coached and watched thousands of soft- By Coach Lloyd ball and baseball games. The level of play has ranged from Little T-ball through adult slow Retired teacher, coach pitch softball. One thing & game official I have noticed in all these With more than 55 years as years is the wind in Florence an athlete, coach, parent and alters the flight of the ball at spectator, Lloyd Little shares all age levels. Players of all what he’s learned about ages have difficulty judging sports from his multiple the flight of the ball when points of view. the wind blows. See SAFETY page 3B See LITTLE page 2B
