North Idaho Lakers play on despite numerous obstacles, state hopes still alive
Cameron Garcia throws the ball toward first during a Lakers practice on June 10 at Pine Street Field.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
SANDPOINT — Trying to play baseball in the midst of a global pandemic is hard enough. But attempting to do it while battling the countless thunderstorms we’ve seen in North Idaho over the past few weeks is even harder.
That’s the reality the 19U North Idaho Lakers American Legion baseball team has had to face as they try to squeeze in some semblance of a season.
With so many outside distractions, head coach Shane Brackett said he’s had a hard time keeping his team focused on just playing baseball.
“I think we’re finally just starting to gel as a team,” Brackett said.
The Lakers began practicing in early June but due to coronavirus and weather they have only been able to hold seven practices between the 11 games they’ve played so far this season.
Brackett said it’s been a struggle because it seems like every field they visit has different health restrictions they have to adhere to.
The Lakers hosted their first home game of the season this past Saturday at Pine Street Field. The team played a doubleheader with Moscow and lost both, and they currently hold a 1-4 record in league play.
Despite the record, Brackett said his team has been improving every game.
Last Wednesday, the Lakers played a doubleheader at Northern Lakes and lost both games by just one run.
“That was really tough to choke down because I really like to beat those guys,” Brackett said.
In a typical year, the Lakers would have played at least 20 games by now but as we know times are different. And the team’s schedule may be growing thinner by the day due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the area.
On Saturday, the Coeur d’Alene American Legion baseball program suspended all activities until at least July 6 after people affiliated with the program tested positive for the coronavirus.
Brackett said his players have maintained a positive attitude through all the adversity they’ve faced and he just wants to get his young team as many reps as possible before the season comes to a close this month.
“I’ve just been trying to do the best that I can to coach them up as individuals and baseball players,” he said. “I try not to focus so much on the wins and losses as I do just seeing improvement every time we go out on the baseball field.”
Brackett said the Lakers will likely need to win out in league play if they want to have a shot at making it to state in Southern Idaho, but right now it’s unknown if the state tournament will even be held with the rise in cases. The Lakers head to Moscow for a doubleheader today.