VFW begins busy summer

Ely’s VFW baseball team will mix experience with youth this summer.Thanks to a state rule change, Ely may bring back three key players for the 2005 season, which starts today at Veterans Memorial Field with a 5 p.m. twinbill against HibbingNick Furnstahl, the pitching ace on a team that went 19-17 last summer, along with fellow starters Ernie Horvat and Jake Ojala were granted another year of VFW ball when state officials adjusted age requirements.That gives Post 2717 what could be a much-needed dose of experience heading into the season. Most of the remaining players on the Ely roster are in their first season of VFW ball.“We’re getting back our number one pitcher (Furnstahl) who was 9-2 with a .9 (earned run average),” said Ely Head Coach Jim Wittrup, who begins his fifth year at the helm. “And Nick was our second best hitter and he stole over 50 bases. Ernie was our third best hitter and hit over .400 and ‘Juice’ (Ojala) is a solid outfielder who hit .350 or so.”Also returning for Ely is sophomore Eric Urbas, who was the starting catcher for the high school team during the spring.First baseman Travis Cole is Ely’s only other returning sophomore.The rest of the roster is dominated by freshmen, some of whom got varsity time for the high school squad.Ben Povhe was in the Timberwolves’ lineup most of the spring and will play shortstop and pitch for the VFW.Andrew Olson also has varsity experience and will aid Ely at second base, the outfield and at catcher. Classmate Pat Lekatz will contribute in the infield and on the mound.Freshmen Chris Erickson (infield-pitcher), A.J. Pope (infield), Jon Henning (outfield), Nathan Leustek (first base), Jacob Wognum (pitcher-outfield), Bryan Cole (outfield) and eighth-grader Ryan Jerich (infield) round out a deep roster.“Ben and Pat and Andrew got a lot of experience during high school season,” said Wittrup. “Our pitching will be young other than Nick, but with a horse like him to anchor the staff we’ll be all right.”It’s shaping up to be a busy summer for Ely, which has over 30 games during the regular season, including the annual Ely VFW Classic, an eight-team tournament set for July 1-3.Ely is joined by Eveleth, Virginia, Silver Bay, Mesabi East and BEST in the Border Area, and the league playoffs will be held here July 22-25, and the local squad is already assured a berth in the Eighth District Playoffs.Ely will host the 10-team tournament from July 30-Aug. 2.Ely VFW Baseball2005 ScheduleSaturday: Hibbing (2), 5 p.m.Tuesday: BEST, 5 p.m.Thursday: at Eveleth (2), 5 p.m.Jun. 20: at Mt. Iron (2), 4 p.m.June 21: North Shore (2), 5 p.m.June 22: at Virginia (2), 11 a.m.June 24-25: at Duluth TourneyJune 28: Mes. East (2), 11 a.m.July 1-3: Ely ClassicJuly 5: Eveleth (2), 5 p.m.July 7: at North Shore (2), 5 p.m.July 9: at Hibbing (2), 5 p.m.July 11: Mt. Iron (2), 6 p.m.July 12: Virginia (2), 11 a.m.July 14: at Mes. East (2), 11 a.m.July 17: at BEST, 6 p.m.July 22-25: Border Area Playoffs at VirginiaJuly 30-Aug. 2: District Eight Playoffs at Ely