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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
