“What’s Westwood doing here?” I heard that question a couple of times in press row when people noticed Westwood’s 18-21 season record in the program. I gotta admit, I was wondering the same thing. I just wasn’t going to say it out loud.

But Westwood proved that they are a force to be reckoned with as they defeated Des Moines Christian, 5-3. Des Moines Christian was 36-2 before playing Westwood. I was talking to one photographer who missed the last couple innings of the Westwood game when he went to shoot photos at the other diamond, and he wouldn’t believe me when I told him Westwood won.

Congratulations to Westwood. They are playing great.

Westwood’s Baylee Washburn slides safely into second as Des Moines Christian’s Taylor Popplewell tries for the tag. More photos Here

So I just arrived in Fort Doge for the state softball tournament and checked into the Days Inn before heading down to the ball park and my room really smells bad. Not sure how to describe it. It’s not a smoky smell. It’s just bad. And some of my co-workers think traveling to the state tournaments is a glamorous thing.

Anyway, we have four area teams in the tournament – Sioux City North, Akron-Westfield, Storm Lake and Westwood. Tonight, as I leave the windows open in my hotel room hoping it airs out, I’ll be photographing Westwood (18-21) as they take on Des Moines Christian (36-2) and I’ll also be shooting another game for one of our sister papers. Check back later for photos and video of Westwood.

Congratulations to the Cherokee baseball team! They defeated Davenport Assumption, 5-4, to win the 2A state championship. And of course, there are photos.

Ask anyone who knows me. They’ll tell you I change my equipment line-up almost as often as I change my underwear. So I was really proud of myself today.

I had some free time after the Heelan baseball game, so I made a pit stop at Christian Photo just to browse. It’s pretty rare that I walk out of that store empty handed. I usually find some new toy that I just have to have. But I resisted all temptation today.

Oh yea, the Heelan game. They lost, 7-0, to Cedar Rapids Xavier.

See Pics Here.

Wow! That is the only way to describe Remsen St. Mary’s victory over Kee in 1A semi-final action at the state baseball tournament. St. Mary’s slugged it out with them and came out on top, 13-7.

And of course, there are photos for your viewing pleasure.

It’s 10:30 p.m. right now and I’m just finishing up for the day…. I left Sioux City at 8 a.m. Only had two games today, but all that video editing adds a lot of extra hours to the workload. At least tomorrow shouldn’t be too bad, only one game to shoot (Go Heelan!)

Time for this old man to sign off.

Remsen St. Mary’s Justin Galles avoids a tag by Kee’s Quin Schultz at second.

Hot dog at the ballpark ………… $4.00
Bottle of water ……………………. $3.50
Having an expense account …… Priceless

“Um, excuse me. Can I get a couple more for the road?’

It’s a hot, humid day here in Des Moines at the state baseball tournament. I’m working up a sweat just sitting in the hard plastic seats here at Principal Park. Yep, sticky buns is more than just another term for cinnamon roles.

Speaking of buns, Cherokee kicked some as they defeated North Fayette to advance to Saturday’s 2A championship game. The Braves will take on Davenport Assumption.
Check out the photos and video from their game against North Fayette!

Cherokee’s Cory Ege hurls a pitch against North Fayette. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

Cherokee fan Josh Mugge tries to keep cool under his shirt as the Braves take on North Fayette.

Tonight I was covering the Westwood/River Valley softball game in Moville, and who was singing the national anthem? It was 11-year-old Ellen Gallagher, daughter of the famous Journal reporter Tim Gallagher. Ellen has a great voice and I have no doubt that it won’t be long before she is even more famous than her dad.

It looks like Journal Chief Photographer Tim Hynds finally got sick of having me around the office (But really, can you blame the guy?) So he’s decided to get rid of me for a couple of weeks by sending me to Des Moines for the state baseball tournament followed by a week of state softball in Fort Dodge.

It’s actually a pretty righteous gig. For the next two weeks I get to run up the Journal expense account . Ignore company dress codes (well, OK, I usually do that anyway.) And I get to see some great ballgames.

I’ll be in Des Moines starting Thursday then in Fort Dodge starting the following Tuesday. Keep an eye on the Journal website. I’ll be posting pics and videos from all of the action.

This one cracked me up. I know kids nowadays love talking on their cell phones, but this gal wouldn’t even put it down while riding on a carnival ride.

Alicia Orr talks on a cell phone while riding the Orbiter with Brittney Ryan during Merriam’s Midway Shows at the Long Lines Family Rec Center parking lot Sunday, July 22, 2007. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)