The dream of a new Little League stadium in the town of Garner and a local company is a major reason. Mayor Tim Schmidt says Zinpro Corporation has offices in Garner.

Schmidt says the hope is to have an irrigation system, new concession stands, new seating, better dugouts and lighting systems installed for next season.

EMERSON, IA — The Iowa High School Sports Network (IHSSN) will broadcast all 28
Iowa High School Athletic Association State Baseball Tournament games from Duane
Banks Field in Iowa City and Merchants Park in Carroll July 17-21. Complete broadcast
schedule.

All games will be aired on IHSSN Cable Network affiliates, including Mediacom (MC22),
Aureon, Premier Communications and The Community Agency (TCA). The
championship games on July 17 th will also be aired on WQAD (Quad Cities), KFXA
(Cedar Rapids) and H&I (Channel 10.3 Mason City). Check local cable and TV listings
for details.

In addition, all games can be streamed at IHSSN.com and the Watch IHSSN App by
purchasing either a Game Pass or Tournament Pass. Both passes include viewing of
two concurrent devices and up to a 30-day rental. Please refer to our FAQ page for
details.

(Radio Iowa) – It’s a sport many Iowans only know from television, but a polo match between teams from Iowa and Minnesota is being staged this weekend as a fundraiser for Variety, the Children’s Charity of Iowa. Variety’s Alison Hanner says this is the agency’s 27th annual Polo on the Green event and yes, it’s a real polo match with riders on horseback swinging those long mallets. “It is so fun! It’s very unique. No one else can really duplicate it,” Hanner says. “We have a fully air conditioned tent and it’s just a beautiful polo field. The views are spectacular and being able to watch the horses and the players, it’s very cool.”

The event is being held Saturday at Powder River Ranch in Cumming, just southwest of Des Moines. Hanner says one popular part of the outing is “divot stomping” at half time. “It helps keep the field level for the horses, so they take time to make sure that the divots are stomped down, so you get to go out and participate in the event,” Hanner says. “It’s kind of a highlight as you get to go out on the actual field and everyone really enjoys that.”

After the match, there will be a catered dinner with an open bar, live music, live and silent auctions, and fireworks. Last year’s event raised 250-thousand dollars for the charity and this year’s goal is to beat the previous haul. Hanner says money raised will support Variety’s mission to improve the lives of children who are at-risk, underprivileged, critically ill, or living with special needs.

Screenshot from PoloOnthegreen.com

Hanner says, “We have our specialized mobility program where we provide specialized bikes, gait trainers, walkers, any piece of mobility equipment that is going to get a child moving and out in the community and help build strength in their legs and core and coordination to help them be more mobile.”  Since 1975, Variety has raised more than $134 million to support children in need throughout the state. Learn more and buy tickets at: poloonthegreen.com

(Iowa DNR News) – Fishing for catfish is a fun summer tradition for many Iowa families. Invite someone new to fishing to come along to share the fun and memories. “Catfish will bite most of the time, no matter what the water temperature,” explains Daniel Vogeler, Iowa DNR fisheries technician. “They are biting in most lakes, ponds, rivers and streams across Iowa.” Bring along two coolers with ice, one to keep your bait firm and fresh and another to keep your catch cold and preserve that great taste. Catfish have a great sense of smell and taste. Try prepared dip baits, chicken livers, minnows or chubs, green sunfish, bluegill, crawdads, frogs, nightcrawlers or dead, but fresh, goldeye or gizzard shad.

Lakes stratify, or form layers, this time of year, with cool, oxygen-deprived waters sinking to the bottom. Don’t fish in water deeper than 8 to 10 feet on most lakes. Look for areas with vegetation, brush piles or rock. Use the DNR interactive fishing atlas to help you quickly find these spots. Fish the upper ends of the larger reservoirs where the water is shallower and baitfish like gizzard shad gather. Use baits fished on the bottom or suspended off the bottom with a bobber and let current or breeze move the bait to find active catfish.

A blue catfish (NOAA Fisheries photo)

Iowa rivers are loaded with catfish. Look for fish around downed trees and brush piles, but don’t overlook rock piles or other objects that deflect water and form a current seam. Position your bait just upstream of brush piles so the scent of the bait is carried downstream into the structure to draw the catfish out. Anchor the bait with a heavy weight so it doesn’t drift into snags. If fishing the big rivers, try upstream and on the tips of wing dykes and wing dams on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

Find more tips for catching, cleaning and cooking catfish on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Fishing-Tips-How-Tos/How-to-Fish-For-/Channel-Catfish-Fishing.

(Iowa DNR News) – Preserve the memory of your child or grandchild hooking their first fish this summer with a special certificate. Print the certificate yourself from an electronic file posted online or request a printed certificate. Apply for a first fish certificate online at www.iowadnr.gov/firstfish. It’s easy and free to participate. There are no size, species or age requirements – only that it is the very first fish the angler has successfully landed.

Family and friends can join in on the celebration by viewing the first catch photos of their kids and other budding anglers on the First Fish webpage once the entry is approved. Give your kids a lifetime of BIG memories this summer. Follow the simple tips for taking kids fishing on the Iowa DNR website at https://www.iowadnr.gov/idnr/Fishing/Fishing-Tips-How-Tos/Taking-Kids-Fishing.

DAYTON, Ohio – University of Iowa sophomore Madison Dabagia qualified for the 123rd United States Women’s Amateur on Thursday at Walnut Grove Country Club.

The Fort Wayne, Indiana, native finished in a four-way tie for fifth place after firing a one-over par 73.  Dabagia claimed the fifth and final qualifying spot on the fourth hole of a playoff.

Dabagia advances to the U.S. Women’s Amateur, which will be held at the Bel Air Country Club in Los Angeles from Aug. 7-13.

Junior Paula Miranda and incoming freshman Maura Peters also competed in the qualifier.  Miranda fired a 74, while Peters carded a 77.

Even Brauns is enjoying his return to Iowa City. The former Iowa City West standout transferred to Iowa after averaging seven points and nearly five and-a-half rebounds as the center at Belmont last season. He looks to help a Hawkeye team that lost its top two scorers from last year’s team that finished 19-14.

Brauns says the chance to return home was one of the factors in his decision.

Brauns is one of two new Hawkeyes who played in the Missouri Valley last season. Ben Krikke (crick-E) led the Valley in scoring at Valparaiso.

A change in location for the Iowa Summer Games opening ceremonies Friday night. Normally held in Jack Trice Stadium spokesman Cory Kennedy says the ceremonies will be held just outside of the stadium.

The opening ceremonies at Reiman Plaza will begin with an athlete tailgate.

Kennedy says it will also be a busy weekend of competition in the Ames area.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell did not provide specifics when asked about a gambling investigation and the status of quarterback Hunter Dekkers at Big 12 Football Media Days in Dallas. The school announced in May that more than a dozen Cyclone athletes were being investigated for online sports wagering.

Campbell says they hope to get some clarity soon. ISU has said the allegations involved members of the football and wrestling teams as well as track and field.

The Cyclones are looking to bounce back from a 4-8 record in 2022 and improvement begins with winning the close games. The Cyclones were 1-8 in the Big 12 and six of the losses were by a touchdown or less.

Campbell likes the way his team has approached the challenge.

The Cyclones open September second at home against Northern Iowa.