Jonathan Alder’s Lilly Walker slides safely into third base. Weather permitting, the Lady Cardinals will host Columbus Bishop Watterson and Heath on Saturday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Jonathan Alder’s softball team, depending upon Saturday’s weather, will host a tournament-type of atmosphere on its home diamond.
For the past four years, the Lady Pioneers have attempted to host teams for what they call the “Der Dutchman Classic.”
Due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and inclement weather at other times, the event has not been played for the past four years.
Jonathan Alder head coach Dave McGrew hopes that changes this year, but he’s not holding his breath.
“It’s not sounding good for Saturday,” he said. “We’re supposed to get snow showers and it’s going to be cold and windy.”
If the weather is better than predicted, JA will play Columbus Bishop Watterson at 10 a.m. and Heath at 2 p.m.
Watterson is coached by Plain City resident Shaun Bray.
“That is the connection that allowed us to hook up with them for the classic,” said McGrew.
The Lady Bulldogs of Heath were invited to play because of their strong softball reputation.
“Heath was a Division II regional finalist last year,” said McGrew. “We like to get strong competition to play here.”
The coach noted the tournament has invited other talented teams, such as Hebron Lakewood, in previous seasons.
McGrew took over the Jonathan Alder program 11 years ago after having served as an assistant coach for three seasons under Tony Caldwell.
When he became the softball boss, McGrew wanted to build up the program.
He had several ideas, including something like the classic, along with conducting one Saturday night game a year under the lights at the community’s Pastime Park.
The night game has gotten off the ground quicker than the Der Dutchman Classic.
“For the past several years, the night game has drawn huge crowds,” according to the coach.
“We beat Mechanicsburg (3-2) last Saturday night and the park was packed,” said McGrew. “We’ve averaged 400 or more fans for our night games over the past few years.”
The weather and COVID-19 haven’t helped matters as McGrew has tried to build the classic event.
“My intention has always been to build it up as a mini-tournament during the regular season,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about having games on a Friday and Saturday weekend, playing daytime games at the high school and night games at the park.
“We just have not gotten that far yet,” said the coach.
“I’d like to develop the type of deal at both the high school and Pastime Park that would attract a lot of people’s interest in our team… especially since we’ve got a pretty good program.”
One of the reasons McGrew would like to play a couple of games on a single day is weather.
The current season is a prime example.
“This has been a bad weather year so far,” he said.
The Lady Panthers had played only five games by the middle of the week.
“If you think about it, the Division II tournament draw is just in a few weeks,” said McGraw. “We don’t know what future weather will be and we’re still trying to figure out some things with our team.”
McGrew said he wants to continue to see good pitching from his squad, if the classic is played this weekend.
Senior Marlee Jacobs has compiled a 4-1 record with a 1.16 ERA. She’s fanned 48 batters in 30 innings.
However, McGrew doesn’t want the All-Ohio hurler to take on all the team’s duties in the circle as the season progresses.
“We don’t want to pitch Marlee every game and every inning,” he said.
Alyssa Miller has pitched one inning so far this season with one strikeout.
McGrew hinted the classic could give Miller more time in the circle to take pressure off Jacobs.