SPORTSBEAT BY PETER JAKEY: Enjoy your weekend but remember
Before getting to the fun and games of the sports world, I just wanted to take a moment to honor a fallen solider from our area, much the way we should all pause on Monday to remember our fellow countrymen, who paid the ultimate price. The Memorial Day weekend is considered the first official weekend of summer, and summer-like weather is expected, which might divert our thoughts from the purpose of Memorial Day. I have been guilty of that the last few years, and even though I might be thinking about taking my boys fishing, or sipping a cup of coffee by a morning campfire Monday, I?m going to take a few moments to reflect on the soldiers who died on the beaches of Normandy, strange islands in south Asia, over the skies of Germany, driving the streets of hostile towns in Iraq, the jungles of Vietnam and Korea, or in the trenches of France.
Sometime during the day, I will remember Paul Karsten of Rogers City, who died in World War II more than 60 years ago. The valedictorian of the Class of 1943 had a world of potential in front of him. His cousin, Marvin Karsten, who still resides in Rogers City and fought in the European Theater of WW II, called Paul a studious student. Karsten was selected to represent our country in the war, but never returned to see another Lake Huron sunrise. He lost his life in the Battle of the Bulge on the border of Belgium and Germany. Karsten?s body was transported back to Rogers City where he was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery. Enjoy your weekend, but remember.
?THE PISTONS turned in a less than memorable performance in their first round game against Miami, and like the Cleveland series, they need to pick themselves up before it is too late. Miami played with a sense of purpose and determination, shooting the lights out early against a Piston squad that missed the energy from game six and seven that got them to the Eastern Conference finals. They have brought their lunch boxes, but shots are falling short, which is a clear sign of fatigue. There was only one full day off between Sunday?s game seven and the beginning of this round, while Miami is well-rested. The Pistons were able to dig themselves out of an early 12-0 hole to take a third quarter lead, but did not have much left in the tank by the fourth quarter, even though they played in front of the home crowd and had the Heats star players, Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O?Neal, in foul trouble. Veterans such as Gary Payton came off the Miami bench to provide a lift to the visitors. I still have a lot of confidence in the Pistons and believe they can come back, but there still is not much time to rest, as they will be back on the floor of The Palace for game two tonight.
?IT WAS AN ideal day for the Little League opener, and local Little League officials should be commended for their selection of grand marshal Jerry Marino. He is an example of what it takes to run a successful Little League program. During opening ceremonies it was said that Marino was a coach, grounds keeper, and would lend a helping hand wherever he was needed. Most of his service came during the late 1960s and early 1970s, but Marino still has a contagious enthusiasm for the ga
?Play ball, but keep your mouth closed while doing it, as the black flies have invaded Little League Park. It has been the only deterrent to a terrific start to the season.
?The tournament trail begins for area baseball and softball teams on Tuesday with pre-district games in Hillman. The softball district is wide open. Posen coach Glenn Budnick, who will take his squad into a pre-district game against Atlanta Tuesday, has called the Division IV district the toughest in the state.
All the heavyweights are back again, but add Onaway to the mix. These gals should not be underestimated. They learned how to win this season and bring back some veteran pitching. It is going to be a tough tournament, but the reward will be a regional tournament berth in Rogers City the following weekend. Somebody is going to be able to play close to home. A week from Saturday, we will find out who it is.