Polk County itemizer observer., July 19, 2017, Page 13A, Image 13

Polk County Sports
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • July 19, 2017 13A
Zone: Dirtbags
rally for victory
Swinging for a cause
Continued from Page 12A
“When I was younger, I
struggled throwing strikes,”
Stewart said. “But coaches
focused with me on being
able to hit my spots, and I
know my defense will make
plays behind me.”
Today, Stewart shows off
impressive command of his
pitches. Facing some of the
state’s best baseball players
is giving him new levels of
confidence.
“I know that I’m playing
the best kids in high school
baseball,” Stewart said. “If
I’m able to get these kids
out, it will help me when I
play next season to know
that I can get anyone out.”
Coach Scot McDonald
has seen firsthand Stewart
enter as a talented, but raw,
freshman, to one of the
LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer
Golfers prepare to putt at the ninth hole at Dallas Golf Course on Saturday during the Titus 3 Golf Tournament.
The event raised money to support women living at the Titus 3 house.
pitching staff’s most reli-
able arms.
Stewart’s success on the
mound has been coupled
with success by the Dirt-
bags.
The Dirtbags entered
Monday tied for first place
with the Mid-Valley South-
paws in the American Le-
gion standings.
“I thought we competed
well (on Sunday), and I
think we have played very
good all summer,” Stewart
said.
The Dirtbags will com-
pete in a state regional on
Friday and Saturday. The
American Legion AAA state
tournament begins July 26.
“We start well, and we
turn it on when we need to
at the end of games,” Stew-
art said.
Tourney: Registration is due by July 27
Continued from Page 12A
“My hope for this year is
we have enough teams par-
ticipating to hold a full
tournament,” Kahl said.
“When I first went to Todd
Brewster and said I wanted
to start this again, he’s so
sweet, but was like, ‘oh,
good luck getting people to
sign up.’ I took that as a
challenge.”
Kahl said that so far, inter-
est has been strong, but with
the deadline looming, time
is running out to sign up.
“We have been getting a
lot of interest,” Kahl said. “A
lot of people are calling and
asking questions.”
Kahl didn’t have to look
far for guidance on how to
run the tournament. The
Oregon Hoopla is an annual
three-on-three tournament
held during the summer in
Salem.
“We definitely looked at
their program and scaled it
down to what we’re able to
offer,” Kahl said. “They’re a
well-oiled machine, and
they know what they’re
doing. It’s nice to be able to
look up to them and format
ours accordingly.”
The tournament won’t be
the only basketball-related
event. On July 28, a Dallas
High School alumni game
will be held at 7 p.m.
“I’m excited about that,”
Kahl said. “Watching those
old guys and girls get out
there and stretch their legs,
it’ll be fun.”
There may even be a
twist.
“The high school has of-
fered to let me dig through
some of their vintage warm
ups and uniforms so I can
make sure they are outfitted
properly,” Kahl said.
The three-on-three bas-
ketball tournament may not
be the largest tournament
around, but it’s one that will
provide people with a fun
way to stay active, Kahl
said. And she hopes it’s the
return of a Summerfest tra-
dition.
“It’s an opportunity for
people to get out of their
house and gives them some-
thing to do,” Kahl said. “It’s
not going to be huge this
year, but someday it would
be cool to see growth and
see it become a two-day
event.”
Registration open for SummerQuest Scavenger Hunt
Itemizer-Observer staff report
DALLAS — Registration is
open for the Dallas High
School Booster Club’s Sum-
merQuest Scavenger Hunt
Fun Run, held July 29 at 5
p.m.
Teams can contain two to
six members, and walkers or
runners are welcome. Each
adult team member will re-
ceive a cinch bag to collect
clues and artifacts along the
route, and at least one team
member must have a smart-
phone to receive texts from
3
the race director.
Cost is $25 for team mem-
bers 13 and older and $10
for team members 12 and
younger.
The hunt begins at the
Academy Building, where
you will receive your first list
of clues. Teams may use any
media to figure out answers
to clues and directions. Any
non-shoed form of transport
is not allowed.
Each team member will
receive a complimentary
beverage (beer, cider or root
MONTHS
beer) that can be redeemed
at the West Valley Tap House
beer garden located at the
Academy Building.
The hunt will lead partici-
pants through Dallas City
Park and along the streets
during Summerfest.
Proceeds will benefit Dal-
las High School athletic pro-
grams.
To register: www.run-
signup.com/summerquest.
For more information:
trenda@DHSBoosterClub.or
g.
FREE
15 Month
Subscription
for the Price of
12 Months!
Yeah...it’s kinda like that!
Call for Details!
503-623-2373
Itemizer-Observer