JUCO World Series

This week, like every year since 1959, Grand Junction
is hosting the Junior College (JUCO) World Series. Lynn
and I went to the game tonight at Suplizio Field between
the San Jacinto(Texas)Gators and the Walters State
(Tennessee) Senators. A record crowd of 11,977 was
treated to a really good game that wasn't finally decided
until the last batter for San Jacinto struck out and
Walters State left the field with a 6-4 win.



The City of Grand Junction does a great job hosting this
tournament and it brings thousands of people to the city
year after year to watch some really good baseball. Many
of these players are just as good as those playing in
the larger colleges and lower minor leagues. The late
Kirby Puckett played in the JUCO World Series here in
1982 and went on to win a Major League World Series with
the Minnesota Twins.



It was very impressive what kind of crowd turned out
for tonight's game. Lots of families, couples young
and old even some pretty knowledgeable fans of the
game were in attendance. Because it was Memorial Day,
we were treated to lots of patriotic songs, fireworks
after the game and a troop of Boy Scouts displaying
different American flags in the outfield for the
National Anthem. It was a good day to be an American,
celebrating America's pastime.

Postscript: Walters State won the JUCO World Series,
defeating Yavapai (Arizona) Junior College, 7-6 in the
championship game on Saturday, June 3rd.