My wife Sharon and son Tony went to the final game of the 2011 Stinger's Season at Taunton Stadium last night. The player whom we hosted this summer, Ben Burns was the starting pitcher and got the win, the weather was perfect and the big crowd was enthusiastic. The Alexandria beer batter struck out twice, providing $2 Miller Lites for all, and I bought a Stinger's hat and t-shirt. After the game, all the players lined the field exit and thanked the fans for coming. The Stingers are a jewel in Willmar's crown...I went to several games this year and had a blast. Co-owners Mark Jerzak and Ryan Vos along with field manager Matt Hollod continue to put a quality product on the field, with second place finishes this season and last, and a first class fun and affordable event for the fans in the stands. And Mark and Ryan make us host families feel like royalty. Tyler Zupcik and Ben Burns this year, and Seth Spivack, last year, are great kids and we were delighted to host them. Ben told me he was very excited to play in a quality league this year against first-class competition, with many players who will no-doubt go on to careers in the major leagues and his parents back in Milwaukee also were thrilled Ben was signed by the Stingers. I hope he returns next year.
Handing out free sweet corn at the Kandiyohi County Fair can often reveal the best and worst in people. KWLM sponsors the sweet corn feed every year at the fair, with station personell handing out the buttery, delicious corn. Most people are very happy and appreciative to get the corn. But there's also those who want two ears per plate, despite being told there's a one ear limit so everyone can get one. There's no limit to how many times you can get in line. We're happy to give people two ears if they are picking one up for someone who wasn't in line, like a spouse or a child. One guy, when told there was a one-ear-per-plate limit, promptly asked for another plate so he could have two. I suppose he thought he was being clever, but in reality, I could really care less...he just made himself out to be a selfish fool. Most people, when (re)told of the one ear limit, politely accepted the news and got back in line after eating their ear. Attendance at the fair this year was up, thanks to near-ideal weather during the 4-day run.
