There won’t be a championship on the line in this week’s Best Sports Classic, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important to the teams involved.
Thanks to the recent wintry weather, not many teams have even been able to get on the field to practice in the past couple weeks, let alone play a game.
With 7A-West Conference play set to begin in less than a week, that makes playing a few games this week vital. That’s just in time for the Best Sports Classic.
The three-day event involves multiple teams at multiple sites, beginning with games today at Veterans Park in Rogers and Bentonville’s Tiger Athletic Complex. Games will also be played Thursday and Friday at Tyson Sports Complex in Springdale.
Rogers Heritage was so desperate to get on the field, the War Eagles played a benefit game Monday against Prairie Grove in a steady drizzle. Heritage had its benefit game with Russellville and season-opener against Mountain Home wiped out because of the weather.
Heritage coach Keith Kilgore acknowledged the conditions weren’t perfect, but his team benefited from playing a quality opponent in the 11-3 victory.
“We had to make adjustments to the conditions, and we felt like the kids did that,” Kilgore said. “Our kids have been biting the bit to get out there, and the weather hasn’t cooperated. We didn’t have to motivate them. They were ready to go.
“It was nice to get on the field. We’re looking forward to seeing quality opponents in the Best Sports Classic.”
Heritage is slated to play three games beginning against Alma today. Rogers High will also play three games. The Mounties begin play today by hosting Siloam Springs.
Bentonville coach Todd Abbott tells a similar story.
“It’s been well over two weeks since we’ve been on our field,” Abbott said. “But our guys have done well staying focused and getting good quality work in. That’s hard to do being inside as much as we have. We have three games and then we start conference, jumping right into the stinking skillet.
“This will give us the opportunity to look at some arms, some players defensively and some at-bats. We do have a lot of new faces, so this will be important for us.”
Bentonville opens against Conway at 5 p.m. today, followed by Mountain Home on Thursday then Harrison on Friday.
PREP BASEBALL
Best Sports Classic
TODAY At Veterans Park, Rogers Mountie Field
Siloam Springs vs. Harrison, 4 p.m. Siloam Springs vs. Rogers High, 6:30 p.m.
War Eagle Field
Alma vs. Rogers Heritage, 5 p.m.
At Bentonville High School
Conway vs. Bentonville, 5 p.m.
THURSDAY At Veterans Park, Rogers Mountie Field
Alma vs. Rogers High, 5 p.m.
War Eagle Field
Conway vs. Rogers Heritage, 4 p.m.
At Bentonville High School
Mountain Home vs. Bentonville, 5 p.m.
At Tyson Sports Complex, Springdale
Harrison vs. Springdale Har-Ber, 4 p.m. Harrison vs. Springdale High, 6:30 p.m. Conway vs. Springdale Har-Ber, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY At Veterans Park, Rogers Mountie Field
Mountain Home vs. Rogers High, 4 p.m.
War Eagle Field
Siloam Springs vs. Rogers Heritage, 6:30 p.m.
At Bentonville High School
Harrison vs. Bentonville, 5 p.m.
At Tyson Sports Complex, Springdale
Alma vs. Springdale High, 4 p.m. Prairie Grove vs. Springdale Har-Ber, 4 p.m. Prairie Grove vs. Springdale High, 6:30 p.m.