COMMENTARY: Series without Warriors still a sight to behold

When I moved to Lewiston about a year ago, one of the first things I heard about was the Avista NAIA World Series.

In trying to get to know the community throughout the year, I would often ask people what the No. 1 thing I needed to do to truly experience Lewiston. The vast majority of people would get excited and say, “You’ve got to experience the World Series.” I was always told it’s the biggest event of the year. And, I have to say, this year’s tournament did not disappoint.

A unique experience

Much to my surprise — and probably everyone else’s — the Lewis-Clark State Warriors did not make the World Series for the first time in 26 years. I have to admit I felt a bit robbed, as I’m sure many others did. But the loss of the home team playing in the tournament made for a unique storyline. For a sports writer, those are always a gift, even if there’s a bit of sorrow involved.

I was curious what the attendance at the ballpark would look like without the home team playing. Interestingly, the numbers have certainly dipped but haven’t plummeted. Each game still averaged more than 1,000 people in the stands. That just goes to show how much love the community has for the Series.

The next big surprise came on the first day of the tournament. The highest level of baseball I’ve covered in my career has been American Legion high school teams, so I admit I am not as well versed in the NAIA as the rest of the Tribune sports crew (who are extremely knowledgeable). I played the odds when filling out my bracket, which was destroyed on Day 1 of the Series when all lower-seeded teams defeated their higher-seeded foes.

Ninth-seed Arizona Christian became giant slayers after defeating top-ranked Southeastern (Fla.) on Day 2. Tennessee Wesleyan, the runner-up, had to go through third-seed Cumberlands, No. 2-seed Georgia Gwinnett and Southeastern.

The Series has proven to be one of the most difficult baseball tournaments to navigate for a team to be named champion.

All walks of life

One of the best experiences, for me, has been speaking with coaches and players from across the country. From champion Hope International in California to Southeastern in Florida, the Series brings the best people to town.

Everyone has been very gracious, even after a loss, and has given some of the best quotes I’ve had the privilege to put in print. It’s been great to get to know these people, even for a brief moment, and it reminded me just how much fun my job is.

Seriously, I got paid to go watch baseball games featuring the top teams in the country. You can’t beat that.

A look back

Covering my first World Series has been one of the most enjoyable yet challenging experiences I’ve had. I can’t thank the Tribune sports crew enough for the hard work and dedication they’ve put into the past few weeks.

Between the 20-page preview tab we published before the Series, to covering all 19 games including sidebars and feature stories, it has truly been a grind. Almost all of us covered a game at 8:35 a.m. and didn’t get done working until well past midnight.

There were some moments I didn’t even know what day it was. Some nights, much to my wife’s chagrin, I wouldn’t get home until 3 a.m.

But even through all that, the Series has been a wonderful thing to experience. I look forward to the tournament next year — hopefully with LCSC still in the hunt.

My vibe

I’m listening to “Right Field” by Peter, Paul and Mary ...

Strissel is the sports editor of the Lewiston Tribune. He can be contacted at mstrissel@lmtribune.com.