May 11, 2021

KCAC tournaments successfully dodge the weather

Posted May 11, 2021 12:00 AM
KCAC photo
KCAC photo

By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post

The beginning of May is a great seasonal change with warmer weather creeping into the forecast, but it also brings increased rain showers and severe thunderstorms.

Scheduling outdoor activities becomes slightly tricky, but the Great Bend Recreation Commission, with the help of the City of Great Bend, were able to avoid any weather delays last week while hosting the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) baseball and softball championships.

GBRC Assistant Superintendent Chris Umphres noted the tournaments at the Great Bend Sports Complex wrapped up Saturday with no interference from Mother Nature.

"We did not have to use the tarps," joked Umphres. "We have one more KSHSAA tournament that we might use the tarps for; but otherwise, we should be getting rid of those things or moving them to different locations."

The infields at the five ballfields at the Sports Complex are scheduled to have artificial turf installed following this summer’s activity at the facility, meaning even less of a chance of future weather delays.

GBRC Executive Director Diann Henderson says t-shirts were handed out to the first 100 people through the gate at last Wednesday’s community night with free admission.

"Big thank you to everyone involved," said Henderson. "Volunteers, staff, Great Bend CVB and park department all did a great job for us. We rolled out the red carpet."

2021 marked the seventh year Great Bend has hosted the KCAC baseball and softball tournaments. The KCAC is scheduled to keep the tournaments at the Sports Complex through 2023.