Legends erect baseball diamonds —not rake them. Asa Howard has done both. The combination of his love of the game and compassion to young ballplayers is the reason why most Guymonites look at Howard as “Mr. Baseball.” Dave O’Sullivan, Guymon High’s head baseball coach does. “I have yet to meet anyone who has a larger heart than Mr. Howard. He’s a huge fan and a passion for the sport,” he said. “More than that, he’s got a passion for helping kids .He’s helped our program. He works the American Legion. I’d like to see more people take an active role in the community and be as selfless and helpful as Mr. Howard. He’s a wonderful guy.” Howard’s tireless efforts to Guymon youth baseball has been going on for decades. More than 30 years ago he was a member of a group of local citizens who requested the school board to devote some space to develop a baseball field. The initial reason for a diamond to be build, Howard said was “We wanted high school baseball here. We had it back in the 1950s. There was a group of individuals who thought we were missing something here in the spring.” A part of the then city dump was granted to the committee to convert to a field. To obtain the land, the committee agreed the proposed facility would be constructed without school district funding. Given the green light Howard rolled up his sleeves - literally - and started the process of turning a junkyard to a diamond. More than 80,000 cubic yards of dirt was moved to complete the first phase of the program so the revived high school baseball program began the 1973 season. According to Howard it took more than $500,000 of donated materials and time from local businesses to finish the project. “I was iffy about it, but excited,” recalled Joe Flores, a freshman on the ’73 Tigers squad. “It turned into a pretty good thing. We went 22-2 that year.” His relationship with Howard began a year before. “I remember making a decision whether or not to play between my 8th and 9th grade year. “ Flores said. “(Asa) told me to just play one more year. He’s the reason that changed my mind.” The choice turned out well for Flores. After graduating from high school he went on to play college ball. And he thinks of Howard often as he passes by the baseball field in his current position an employee of Guymon’s street department. “I see him working out on that field now. If it wasn’t for my job. I’d step up and help him out,” said Flores. “It was special to play on that field. It’s one of a kind. It was special to be a part of that.” Once the diamond was laid, more improvements to the field, sparked by Howard, sprouted. Dugouts were added in 1977. A lighting system, equivalent to most single A, minor league stadiums were installed the following year. Other additions over the years include a press box, public address system, an electric scoreboard, concession stands and rest rooms. Projects to keep the facility in top shape continue to the present day. Currently, a group of the high school team’s parents with help from the players are renovating the stands behind home plate and the dugouts. While Howell’s original involvement centered on a purpose. He said fun is the main reason why he continues his duties over the years as the ball yard’s primary caretaker. “The ulterior motive why I do a lot out here is because I enjoy it. It’s fun to make it look good,” he said. As the weather warms, the fruit of Howard’s work becomes evident. In full bloom, the field mirrors Chicago’s Wrigley Field, right down to the ivy-covered outfield. While Howard admitted to knowledge of every nook and cranny of the facility. He was kept in the dark on the field being named in his honor over a decade ago. “My wife (Nancy) told me to come down to the field,” he recalled. “I told I’m down there every day and didn’t see a reason to go. But, I did. That’s when I found out about it. It’s kind of neat because they usually name things for people when their dead.” O’Sullivan is happy with the town’s decision. “It’s a fitting tribute,” he said of the huge Asa Howard Legion Field that’s affixed prominently behind the bleachers. You can not even begin to add up the amount of time and the hours that he’s put into that field. When I think of Guymon. He’s one of the faces that pops into my head.”
Twenty-Seven boys and girls youth basketball teams, representing Texas County and Kansas begin action this afternoon at Goodwell High School and Panhandle State University's Oscar S. Williams Fieldhouse for the two-day long Rod O'Hara Memorial Basketball Tournament. Friday's schedule at Goodwell High School begins with a 4 p.m. 3rd-4th grade girls game between Goodwell and Texhoma. Other first round games to follow are girls contests between Hooker and the Texas County All Stars at 5:20 p.m. and Guymon-Stratford at 6:40 p.m. Friday's 3rd and 4th grade boys tournament first round games are also set at Goodwell High where Goodwell takes on Stratford at 4:40 p.m. The winner of that game plays Rolla at 7:20 p.m. The rest of the slate has Texhoma facing Hooker at 6 p.m. The first game on tap at OPSU this afternoon has the Goodwell 5th/6th grade boys taking on Hitch at 4:50 p.m. Additional games involve the Guymon girls facing Stratford at 5:40 p.m., a boys match between Hooker and Elkhart at 6:30 p.m. At 7:20 p.m. the Keyes girls square off with the Liberal, Kan. Lady Heat. Late games include 8 and 8:50 p.m. boys contest between Holcomb-Keyes and Hugoton, Kan. vs. Stratford, respectively. The final two girls games on Friday are the 8:10 p.m. Forgan-Elkhart contest and the 9 p.m. Hugoton-Goodwell match. Play resumes at 8 a.m. Saturday in both gyms with loser's out games. The daily admission charge for spectators is $3 for adults and $1 for students. Concession stands will operate throughout the tournament at both venues. Proceeds benefit the Goodwell Boosters Club.
Three Oklahoma Panhandle State basketball players have received post-season honors from the Heartland Conference. Heading the list is the excellent Marcale Marshall of the men's team, who was named second team All-Conference. Marshall, one of the best athletes on the OPSU campus, received second team honors. A 5 foot, 11 inch, junior led the Aggies in scoring with a 15.9 point per game average. Reggie Lassiter, a 5’10” senior guard, received Honorable Mention. Callie Schafer, a 5'10 freshman forward earned Honorable Mention on the Heartland Women's All-Conference Team. Schafer was the Aggie women's team third leading scorer with 7.0 points per game and top rebounder with 6.3 boards per game.
Weather delays prep track, fails to douse teams’ spirit
on 03-11-2010 15:13
By Phil Sandoval Sports Editor
Undesirable weather or not, track will take its place as the most popular spring sport among area high schools. The question is when the 2010 season will start. Friday’s traditional opening meet at Boise City has been put on hold due to continuing rain and snow. That assures the earliest any of the area schools won’t be in action to after Spring Break. For some squads, the extra practice time is well received. Not at Texhoma. With plenty of experience to draw from the Red Devils are well prepared and ready to go. “We’ve got everybody back from last year’s team that qualified in a lot of different events at state,” said girls coach Buddy Husted who has a roster of 23 athletes. “That, along with the group we have coming up from the junior high. We have an opportunity to have a pretty decent track team.” Husted has big expectations for a strong season from juniors Brittany Beattie and Karina Acevedo in the short races and relays. The two veterans will be paired in the relays with freshmen Sierra Burleson and Ann E. Freeman. Abby Ferguson is being looked at in the middle distance events. Depending on need, Beattie and Acevedo could also see time in those events. Texhoma has a 2009 state qualifier back in the hurdles in Megan Wackler. She will be joined by another freshman Tana Koehn. “She’s got a lot of speed, “said Husted of Kane. “Potentially, she could be a good hurdler for us.” Another area Husted is excited are the athletes he has available in the field event. “I think we can be really good in the field. The field is where we can do some damage if they bring their “A” game. ” he said. Shelbi Moore qualified for state in the shot last year and has been throwing really well in the shot and the discus. Another returnee, Anna Espinoza, has worked hard all year in throwing the disc. Freshman Cynthica Rea gives Texhoma depth in that area. Freeman and Koehn will compete in the High Jump and Long Jump, respectively. Mikayla Rodriquez and Beattie have settled in as the Red Devils top pole vaulters. The boys’ team is just as talented. J.D. Pugh, the area’s lone individual state event champ, anchors the hurdle crew along with giving the Red Devils stability in the 400 relay. He will be flanked in both events by fellow senior Matt Freeman. Alexis Hernandez returns as Texhoma’s main threat in the 400. He could also see time in the relays. Skyler Rodriquez has been slotted for duty in the Pole Vault.
Guymon The Tigers numbers are starting to move up. This year, the combined boys and girls teams come in at around 30 athletes. The increase comes from a vigorous recruiting campaign by boys coach Andy Brown along with some newcomers from the girls soccer team. “We may gain a few more this week. I’ve been talking to kids every day in the hallway to come in and try practice,” Brown said. “It’s just a matter of getting them hooked up with it.” The area the Guymon boys are strongest is in the sprint and mile relay, Brown said. A third is in the two-mile relay where the Tigers entire Class 4A state qualifying unit returns. Individually, Josh Pierce, a junior, is hoping for a repeat trip to the state meet in the boys mile. The Tiger girls have two athletes with state experience back in juniors Lauren Gibson (100 hurdles) and Vanessa DeWilde (discus). How the rest of the team shapes up, event-wise will come from results out of the early season meets. Three seniors — Keela Clark, Jade Cruzan and Myra Lopez — are giving track a whirl for the first time as high schoolers. “Keela and Mayra are going to throw. Jade is going to run,” said Ware. “I haven’t seen enough yet to see what (Jade) can do. She, probably, will run sprints and middle distance.” Freshmen Annakaren Perez and Caitlyn Christie are being given long looks be Ware in the distance events. Samantha Byers and Gibson will run the hurdles.
Hooker With a combined total of 37 athletes - 22 boys, 15 girls - at practice, the outlook for a stellar year is bright for head coach Stan Kasten. The girls squad includes three individual event Class A returning state qualifiers in Saira Ugarte (400 meters), Brittany Bergner (1,600, 3,200) and Jayme Walton (100 hurdles, High Jump). The boys team includes a high number of returning lettermen. Senior Michael Wiebe is the Bulldogs top sprinter. He will see action in those events along with some relay work. Ethan Neal and Michael Perez lead the Bulldogs corp of long distance runners. Bradley Rider and Guerrero Garcia are Hooker’s main threats in the shot and discus. Some younger talent with athletic backgrounds in Analemo Estrada, Payson Slater and Brandon Goosen gives Hooker additional team depth. The Bulldogs will receive another boost after hurdler Joe Bean is medically cleared from an injury he suffered in the basketball season to resume team workouts.
Tyrone After a slow start, due to basketball, the Bobcats are starting to round into shape. “They’re pretty sore. I was rough on them,” said Coach Travis Benning of the contingent of six boys and four girls that are currently at practice. An area when Tyrone has good talent at is in the boys Shot Put and Discus where experienced throwers William Parks and Mario Rodriquez return. “Both are a lot stronger than last year,” said Benning. “Both have been lifting a lot since football season ended.” Another spot where the Bulldogs should do well in is in the girls high jump where three-year standout Adrienne Sanborn returns for her senior year. Currently, Sanborn is nursing a sore ankle she hurt at Tyrone’s last basketball game. Upon returning to full health, Sanborn could also see time in the hurdles. Two of Sanborn’s basketball teammates — Katy Lotspeich and Cassi Courkamp — are out for the first time. They have been penciled in as sprinters. Ashlee George rounds out the girls squad. The remaining three members of the boys team are all underclassmen. Dakota Arnold is a sophomore, A.J. Suddeth and Uriel Orona are freshmen. They are all fast, Benning said and will be used in the individual sprint and sprint relays with either Rodriquez or Parks.
Goodwell/Yarbrough Information requested on the Eagles and Lobos was not available to the Daily Herald as of press time. Previews of both schools track teams will appear in an upcoming edition of the newspaper after Spring Break upon receipt by each school’s head track coach.
Recent rash of storms, snow forces cancelation of Thursday, weekend games
on 03-11-2010 15:11
Sports Editor
At this rate, Texas County sports fans may have to look toward outlying regions to find an outdoor event to watch live this weekend. The latest rash of wintery-like weather due to a quick-hitting rain and snow storm has forced the cancelation of high school games scheduled for Thursday and the rest of the weekend. Postponed contests as of press time include Friday's 2010 high school season-opening track meet in Boise City. Due to the postponment, the first time most of the area’s prep track teams will face each other is March 26th’s Hooker High Invitational. The latest event to be wiped out due to wet field conditions is today's Guymon-Delhart, Texas baseball doubleheader scheduled to be played at Asa Howard Legion Field. The next schedule action for the Tigers will be next Tuesday when Guymon travels to Beaver for a doubleheader with the Dusters. Earlier this week, the Guymon at Woodward girls/boys soccer doubleheader was erased due to an unplayed field. There have been no new dates set by school administrators for all three events. Saturday prep events that include Goodwell travelling to Booker, Texas for a track meet, the Hooker at Shattuck baseball game and Guymon boys and girls golf teams at Perryton are still on. On the college front, the Panhandle State baseball teams four-game weekend series against Heartland Conference foe Lincoln University is still on the docket. Play is scheduled to begin for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader at noon.The first pitch for Sunday games will also be at noon. Additionally, a previous rained out home engagement with West Texas A & M has been reset for Tuesday, March 16 at 1 p.m. Both the Aggies softball and rodeo teams are on the road this weekend. The softball squad begins a three-game series in San Antonio against Incarnate Word with a single game Friday followed by a twin-bill Saturday. OPSU, weather permitting, makes their first home appearance of the 2010 campaign at 11 a.m.Tuesday with Pittsburg State. Both the Aggies men and women rodeo squads put their undefeated 2-0 team records on the line in a weekend-long rodeo hosted by Fort Scott, Kan.
Hello Oklahoma Panhandle! To the Guymon Tigers, good luck
with your game! I root for you because I'm the dad of a former Tiger (Misha Hall). Also, good luck OPSU Aggies!!! As the former voice of the Aggies, I sure miss calling those games! Way to go, Coach Wyatt and staff, in building a team and program to be proud of! Best wishes from this Alaskan Aggie! - Nat Hall
Good luck in the playoffs ,yall have done a great job and i
am very proud of the whole team, to my boys jonathon aguilar,jamin richardson,and
reed gore yall have done an outstanding job go boise city wildcats. - Diana Baldonado
