Both teams exposed to storied baseball tradition at the self-proclaimed “Baseball capital of Iowa”
NORWAY — Iowa City Liberty’s Weston Schrader had heard of Norway’s storied baseball tradition.
Lightning assistant coach Brent Kimm has shared his experiences with the historic high school program, winning three state titles and one runner-up finish from 1987-1990 under Hall of Fame Coach Jim Van Scoyoc.
Even though Schrader hasn’t seen the 2007 film, “The Final Season,” that depicts the 1991 state title at the end of the last academic year of Norway High School, he seemed to appreciate the opportunity to play on the hallowed diamond Tuesday and help Class 4A No. 4 Liberty to a 10-3 victory over Linn-Mar.
“It was pretty cool,” Schrader said. “It was fun to learn about the legacy, the people that came out of here and play where they all played, too.”
Linn-Mar Coach Kyle Rodenkirk and Liberty Coach Uby Martinez needed to fill their schedules with one more game. Rodenkirk reached out with an idea for a non-conference game at a neutral site. Other venues were considered and Norway became the right fit.
Norway is tied for third all-time with eight summer state titles and tied for fifth with 11 summer finals appearances. The program has 20 state titles with crowns won during past fall (held from 1928-72) and spring (held from 1939-85) seasons.
“It was great to have that opportunity to say, ‘Hey, you guys are going to take the field where some of the best baseball players in Iowa history played,’” Martinez said.
The results was secondary to the chance to play on the same field as former Major League Baseball players, high school standouts and countless men who played in the famed Iowa Valley League.
“It was awesome,” said Martinez, who played in the IVL. “Obviously, the coaches know the story about Norway and playing baseball in Iowa there's just no way you didn’t know about it.
“Brent Kimm played here and talks about Norway and how they did things. So, for our guys to make that connection was huge.”
Van Scoyoc and his successor Kent Stock, who took over as head coach for that 1991 championship season, threw out the first pitches to Martinez and Rodenkirk, whose uncle is former Norway and MLB pitcher, Mike Boddicker.
“For Coach Van Scoyoc and Coach Stock throw the first pitches out was pretty sweet,” Martinez said. “The guys hear ‘Van Scoyoc’ all the time and don't put two and two together. He walked in front of our dugout and our guys were in awe. So, this is the guy they talk about. That was awesome. It was great.”
Brayden Mayer said it was cool to see the sign, “The baseball capital of Iowa” as the Liberty bus rolled into town. Lightning players also stepped off the bus and visited a monument dedicated to some of the past local players.
“On the bus, he (Kimm) said just take it all in,” Mayer said. “We kind of just tried to take in everything and that monument was one of them.”
Some high schools play on turf fields with stadium-like seating and scoreboards with bells and whistles. Norway’s diamond remains sublime in simplicity. The manicured field, an announcer stationed at a table near the third-base dugout, the music of a bygone era that included Patsy Cline, Ray Price and Beach Boys and the backdrop of cornfields with a church in the distance beyond left field.
Don’t forget the trains that rolled from right to left field just beyond the fence, green space and a narrow two-lane highway.
“I don't know if I've ever had a train in the background,” Schroeder said. “Usually, we're like more in the city, so it's kind of fun being out in the country more. It’s different. I enjoyed it though.”
As far as the game went, Schrader pitched a gem. He went 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs, only one earned, on five hits.
“I know I have a great defense behind me, so I knew I needed to throw strikes,” Schroeder said. “They would have my back the whole time, so that was the goal. Throw strikes, let them hit it and get outs.”
Liberty (26-7) received a grand slam from Mayer to take the lead in the third. His blast over the right field fence put the Lightning up, 4-1. Mayer added an RBI single in the fourth.
“Home runs are just part of the game,” Mayer said. “I don't try to hit him, but sometimes they just happen.”
Dylan Muszynski had two hits and scored a run in the first inning. The Lions (15-18) didn’t score again until Charlie Sarsfield’s two-run double in the seventh, driving in Dean Gavin and Lucas Downing.
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