Baseball issue shows hopeful future for area

For scores of parents and grandparents, tonight's Gazette is a collector's edition. The section that makes it special is "Kids of Summer," a 16-page edition which features photographs of McCook's 2002 youth baseball and softball teams.

We are indebted to Erik Olson of Olson Photography for this pictorial tribute to young people. During the busy summer season, he took pictures of players and coaches from the 45 teams who participated in the Midget League baseball and McCook YMCA softball programs.

Baseball and the little leagues are a proud part of McCook's heritage. In the first year of McCook's existence -- 1882 -- baseball was being played, and soon thereafter McCook formed a town team which competed against baseball clubs in neighboring towns in Southwest Nebraska.

Toward the middle of the 20th Century, the McCook Cats became a leading contender in the Nebraska Independent League, and -- for a brief time -- the McCook Braves competed in the Nebraska Rookie League.

After World War II, youth baseball became an important part of community life. Among the early participants was Gene Budig, a baseball fan who went on to become president of the American League.

He is one of thousands of youngsters who have taken part in the summer baseball leagues down through the years.

The participants include more than 400 youngsters this year.

Youth ball games are a lot of fun, but they are also a lot of work. Scores of coaches, league officials, umpires and parents lend a hand, with the practices and games occupying many nights from May through July.

There's a payback for all the effort. Young people of the community learn valuable lessons, of which teamwork and fair play are the most important.

We tip our caps in appreciation for all who make the summer baseball and softball programs possible.

Whether your children or grandchildren are involved or not, we encourage you to take time to look through the "Kids of Summer" section.

What a fine looking group of youngsters they are! It gives you hope for the future and makes you proud to be living in McCook, Nebraska.