A Community Tradition returns to glory!

In 2010, the City of Chanhassen resurrected a community tradition that had been absent since the 1960’s.  The Chanhassen Red Birds Amateur Baseball team returned after more than a 40 year hiatus, to compete in the “Class C” Central Division of the River Valley League under the sanctions of the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Association.

Thanks to a new Chanhassen High School, and the adjacent new baseball/softball complex courtesy of the City of Chanhassen, the Red Birds were organized under the Parks and Recreation Department with the engaging leadership of Terre Kemble and her Board of Directors.  After a furious search for a manager and tryouts for young men interested in rekindling the rich tradition of “town ball” in Chanhassen, the Red Birds were ready for action.

The Red Birds Manager, Chris Reuvers – actually was interested in doing the Public Address announcing for the team - and assistant coach, Derek Nelson, molded a group of excited 18 – 24 year olds into a good looking, and reasonably competitive team.  Sporting new uniforms, new logo, and a new ball field and ripe with enthusiasm, the team played a number of non-league games in April and early May of 2010. 

Red Birds opened league play on May 23^rd with a home game against the Henderson Tigers.  The pre-game ceremonies included a thanks to the City Officials for building the stadium and helping to get the Red Birds back in the game; it also included a reunion of sorts with special recognition of the Red Birds of the 40’s and 50’s.  More than twenty of the original Red Birds were on hand to throw a ceremonial “first-pitch” and bask in the memory of “days of yore”.

The Red Birds won that home opener and continued by winning the first three games of the season.   The season continued with excitement, but not so much in the way of results.  Suffering with limited strong pitching, lack of clutch hits when needed, and some erratic play in the field, the Red Birds finished league play with a record of 7-11, good for third place in the Central Division.  In league playoffs, the Red Birds got hot at the right time and secured the 2^nd seed from the division with a thrilling defeat of Le Sueur that sent the home team into the Region 6C playoffs.   The young Red Birds were over matched by new market and St. Benedict and finished the season with great anticipation for the 2011 campaign.

Some important highlights are worth noting. 

The rivalry of the “border battle” against the Chaska Cubs was re-born on June 18^th when the tradition-rich Cubs visited Storm/Red Bird Stadium.  The venue, referred to as “Not Target Field, bur Pretty Close” by the Chanhassen Villager, proved to be ready for an exciting game.  Chanhassen led the Class B team through the entire game and the hometown faithful were ready to celebrate an incredible win, when a looping fly ball that would have been the last out for the Cubs, popped out of the Red Bird right fielder’s glove and the Cubs tied the game in the 9^th inning; then finished the Red Birds in the 11^th inning for an 11-4 win.  A tough game to lose but set the stage for many a rematch in the future.

Red Bird players, Cary McLaughlin and Jeff Pavlovich acquitted themselves nicely as Red Bird representatives as the River Valley League defeated the Dakota-Rice-Scott League in the All-star game on July 9^th.

The community’s July 4^th activities were greatly enhanced with the start of another tradition for Independence Day.  The Red Birds celebrated a 4-3 comebacks victory over the Winthrop Eagles.  Tony Marengo hit the first home-run by a Red Bird at Storm/Red Bird stadium to tie the game in the 8^th inning.  Then with bases loaded in the bottom of the 9^th, Cary McLaughlin drilled a single to right-center to score Kyle Kemble with the game winner.  Celebration and revelry followed to the sounds of patriotic songs played over the loud speakers.  Another tradition was reborn.

The 21^st Century version of the Red Birds enters the 2011 season with excitement and anticipation.  The New Ulm Kaiserhoff is the newest addition to the River Valley League and will visit Chanhassen for a 6:00 PM start in the 4^th of July game.  Chanhassen visits Chaska Athletic Park on June 9^th for another “border battle”.  And due to the popularity of the Storm/Red Bird Stadium, a number of non-league teams will be visiting to try out our new home; including two Class “A” teams from the Minneapolis league.

The Red Birds are excited for the chance to gain league competitiveness, playoff success and a trip to the State Tournament this year; but most importantly, delight the fans and sponsors in the community that we call our home, Chanhassen.

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