The Freeman Blacksox and their fans are hoping these bats heat up as the local amateur team faces Irene in a District 6B Amateur Tournament elimination game tonight in Menno. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. Freeman is the No. 6 seed and finished the regular season 7-11; Irene is No. 7 and finished 3-15. The two teams split in two games during the regular season, with the Cardinals winning 11-4 on June 19 and the Blacksox winning 9-2 on June 21. The winners of Sunday's game will play for a spot in the state tournament next Thursday.

This undated photo comes courtesy of Kevin Smidt, whose grandfather, Harry, is pictured on the left. Standing next to him is Harold, a cousin. The other Smidt pictured, Nels, is either an uncle or another cousin. Kevin Smidt believes this photo was taken near the intersection of Highways 18 and 81, because the young men pictured here lived in that neighborhood; “There must have been a ball field there,” he said.

Workers from Maquire Iron are nearing two weeks of progress on the city of Freeman's water tower project that includes general upkeep, a cleaning inside and out and repainting. This show the tent that will be lifted up to cover the structure as led-based paint is removed. Workers say weather conditions will determine when the tent is elevated, but it could be as soon as this weekend. This is expected to be a month-and-a-half long project.  

Corn looks healthy as it grows taller near Freeman; meanwhile a bank of clouds paints the western sky Thursday morning, July 23.

This was the scene outside of Heritage Hall Museum and Archives/the Prairie Arboretum Tuesday afternoon, July 21 as workers moved the historic Deckert House to its new location east of where it had stood since the fall of 1979. Marnette Hofer, archivist and executive director at Heritage Hall, called it “a moving scene,” likely because it has been in the works in one way or another ever since she started there in 2015.

Repairs continue at the Freeman water tower as workers from Maquire Iron prepare to tent the structure from top to bottom for the removal of led-based paint. Repairs are expected to continue well into August.

Assuming the South Dakota High School Activities Association approves a recommendation from a fall sports/activities task force later this week, the football field and other high school sports venues across the state will see action this fall. The SDHSAA announced Monday morning that the task force established to consider whether to play sports this fall amidst COVID-19 concerns is recommending the upcoming season begin as scheduled. A special meeting of the SDHSAA will begin at 11 a.m.

Amy Beck grills chislic from the corner of Main and Third streets Saturday afternoon, July 18 as part of the Chislic Block Party thrown by Doc's Bar. The event began at noon and featured a bean bag tournament, food and drink specials, inflatables and, later in the day, live music. 

Setup was underway Saturday morning, July 18, for the Doc's Bar Chislic Block Party, which begins at the corner of Main and Third streets at noon today. Activities include a bean bag competition, inflatables for kids, food and drink specials and live entertainment. The action is scheduled to continue into the morning hours of Sunday.

This photo from Menno's Fourth of July baseball game was included with The Courier's coverage of Independence Day earlier this month. The baseball field in Menno will be the site of the District 6B Amateur Baseball Tournament that begins next week. The Mad Frogs will be the No. 2 seed and will take on No. 7 Irene at 8 p.m. Friday, July 24. Here's the full schedule: No. 1 Tabor vs. No. 8 Scotland, 6 p.m. July 23 No. 4 Lesterville vs. No. 5 Wynot, 8 p.m. July 23 No. 3 Crofton vs. no. 6 Freeman, 6 p.m. July 24 No. 2 Menno vs. No. 7 Irene, 8 p.m. July 24