Spring sports have had a slow start for the Malad High school athletes for the 2023 season.  The cold and snow have made it difficult for the baseball, softball, and track teams to make it out on the field to practice and compete.  But with the temperatures beginning to rise and a little work from athletic director Kory Kay, the sports schedule is getting back on track.

“Postponed games and rescheduling is just a part of spring sports in Idaho,” says Malad baseball head coach Bo Clark.  “Every year we have to move games around because of the weather. We just work around it and do the best we can.”  While it may be an annual occurrence, the lingering winter late into March is making the 2023 spring season especially difficult to get going.  Teams around the state are struggling to get their fields cleared off enough for practice and especially games.

Kory Kay, Malad’s athletic director, has been working to put together games and meets for the teams to get their season up and running.  Last minute, the Dragon baseball team was able to get a game scheduled with the American Falls Beavers Saturday, March 18, giving the Malad team their very first shot playing on a field this season.

Despite the slow start the Dragons have had with their season, the team came out ready to play and put together a solid game against the Beavers.  Coach Clark shared, “We haven’t even made out on the field yet this season so this game was just a great look at what we have going.”  Having only thrown the ball around in the old auto shop and hit up the batting cages, the team wasn’t really sure how things would be coming together this season.  But it only took a couple of innings to see that the Dragons have it in them for another great season.

Malad was primed for their first game of the season even if it was in cold, miserable conditions.  By the close of the second inning, Malad was up 14 runs to 3.  Coach Clark commented, “All the boys looked good hitting.  Even if they didn’t get on base, their swing is looking good and I’m pleased to see where they are.”  With it being the first game of the season and pulling ahead early in the game, the MHS coaches used their first field time to move players around the various positions on the field.  Coach Clark was especially pleased with his pitchers that stepped up to the mound, working multiple players in and seeing a lot of potential in them for the season.

“All in all, it was a good game for our team to get out there and play.  There wasn’t a single negative thing that I saw out there,” said Coach Clark.  The Dragons easily won their opening game, 17-7 in five innings.  The MHS team had several games lined up for this week but will once again need to be rescheduled. The team won’t have another game until following the spring break when they hope they can return to their normal schedule.

The Lady Dragon softball team has also had to amend their game calendar, pushing off several games over the last.  Unless they are able to get a last minute game scheduled with American Falls or Declo like the baseball team did, they will likely not hit the field until the first week of April.  While they have been unable to play any games, the team has been able to get in a practice on the diamond. 

Last Friday, the MHS softball team took to the road to find an open field to play on.  Head Coach Christie Schow took her team to Plain City, Utah to use the softball field at Fremont High School for an on field practice.  With two back to back state championships under their belts, the girls are anxious to see what this new season will bring.  While they are more than ready for a game, stepping out on the field for a practice was a move in the right direction.  

The Dragon Track team was also able to get their first meet in the books over the weekend as they headed south to Bear River for a small meet with the hosting team and West Side.  The meet was a great chance for the athletes to see where they are stacking up as they begin the season.  The coaches are excited to see their team grow this season, with 42 athletes out for track and field this season.  Earlier in the season, they shared that it has been challenging to drum up interest, especially when they aren’t able to compete at home in front of their family and friends.  But with the new and improved track, they are hoping that interest in the sport and their team will soon take off.  The Malad team will next compete at the Neal Wyatt Invitational track meet at Oakley High School on Friday, March 31.