6. Colonels don’t take field for first time in decades

 

Albert Lea’s only amateur baseball team, the Colonels, didn’t take the field this summer for the first time since 1990 due to lack of interest.

It was announced in the spring by the team’s coach, Bill Trygstad, that the team needed 13 or 14 players to field a team and that he “didn’t have a commitment from very many.” Trygstad then called the opposing team’s coaches to notify them the Colonels’ season was canceled.

Trygstad declined to comment on how many players had signed up.

The Colonels began playing baseball in Albert Lea in 1990. That year marked the first time amateur baseball was played in Albert Lea since the town’s previous team folded in 1985. That team began playing in 1982 and its core players made up the bulk of the Colonels’ roster in its inaugural season.

Trygstad said in July that the previous season’s Colonels team may have been too young.

“We had a very young team in 2010 compared to some of the other years. We relied a lot on the Legion players,” said Trygstad.

Trygstad said he needed a mix of veterans who were willing to run the team and young players with speed and strong arms. But most importantly they needed players who were committed.

“You’ve got to have guys who want to play year after year after year,” Trygstad said. “We haven’t had that lately.”

Trygstad said the Colonels, who play at Hayek Field, will try to complete a full roster in 2012.