WAUPUN, Wis. — If you ask Larned baseball coach Chad Erway, baseball is a lot like life.
You win some, you lose some.
You see bad breaks and lucky bounces.
Sometimes, you get a bad umpiring call (so true).
Erway has always preached that keeping a steady mind is vital to success on the field.
That’s true away from the diamond, too.
Yes, Larned did capture its first state summer baseball state championship since 1990 at beautiful Fort Scott. That elusive high school state baseball championship will be earned some day soon.
No, Larned did not repeat the success of 1999 when the Indians capured the Central Plains Regional. That year, Larned lost twice to rival Pratt to finish runner-up in the Class AA state tournament. Larned gained revenge the next week and captured the Central Plains Regional.
Larned played near-perfect baseball to win its first two games at the Central Plains Regional.
The minute Larned stopped playing its best baseball, it lost two consecutive games.
Like the old baseball coach says — the game never changes.
Larned’s hitting leaders Landon Erway and Tyler Stelter earned All-Tournament honors.
Larned’s team and fans also captured a prestigeous award — the Central Plains Sportsmanship Award.
It’s good to know that Larned adhered to the American Legion sportmanship code.
I will:
• Keep the rules
• Keep faith with my teammates
• Keep my temper
• Keep myself fit
• Keep a stout heart in defeat
• Keep my pride under in victory
• Keep a sound soul, a clean mind, and a healthy body
It’s refreshing to know that Larned’s coaching leaders — including coaches Lupe Perez, Jon Skelton and Clint Barger — are teaching these young men valuable life lessons.
Even when some bad manners surfaced, the record will show that Larned played the game the right way.
Everyone is town should be proud of their young men.

Jim Misunas