George Ferguson: The Northstars don't just put on a great show when they host, they're a big part of that show

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Legion Field is an incredible baseball venue. Among many of the American Legion Baseball stadiums in Montana, Legion Field in Havre is as good as it gets.

Also, because of the hard work of so many, Havre and Legion Field always put on a great show, whether it's hosting the Havre Jamboree every year, or last year's Class A State Tournament, Havre just knows how to host a tourney.

And this week's Northern A District Tournament will be no different. The Northstars will host the four-day extravaganza Thursday through Sunday, and there's little doubt, the tournament will be run really well, and fans from all seven visiting teams, as well as players and coaches, and the Havre community, will be treated to a first-class baseball tournament.

That's just how we do it around here.

But, it won't just be what happens off the field that makes Havre hosting a big baseball tournament so much fun. No, while the venue is great, and the hosts are great, Havre also has a great team to go with it.

That's right, just like last year's state tournament, the Northstars are once again not just playing host this weekend, they're a red-hot, really good baseball team, peaking at the perfect time.

Havre has played some great baseball this June and July, and the Northstars are very much on a roll. It certainly helps to have a really veteran team like the Northstars do, with so many great returning players from last year. Yes, in baseball, talent is key, but experience and knowledge are also paramount, the Northstars have a ton of experienced and veteran players and, with the way they've been playing, it really shows.

But, above all, the Northstars also have a savvy, veteran head coach and an excellent staff, one that has really taken the program to the next level recently.

Head coach Patch Wirtzberger, and coaches Shane Reno and Jake Eldridge, have done an incredible job of bringing the Northstars up the ladder of Class A legion baseball. It's widely known now that, wherever Havre goes, they'll be a team to be reckoned with, and that's a direct result of how much hard work, dedication and time Wirtzberger has put into the program. He works hard to help the players work hard and now the program is reaping the rewards of all that hard work.

In other words, with really outstanding coaching, and players who are talented and dedicated, it's all paying off, and it's all coming together at the perfect time.

And there's no better time than the present for it all to come to a head for this Northstars club. It's the perfect storm, because they're back in Legion Field, the great venue that it is, with a district championship and another berth at state hanging in the balance. It just doesn't get much better than that.

But, no matter what happens in Havre this weekend, the Northstars have plenty to be proud of. They are a fun, exciting, hard-working baseball club, one that's really enjoyable to watch play. And Havre gets to watch them play one more time this weekend. So good luck to Patch, Jake, Shane and the Northstars. Congrats on an already great season, and best of luck in the postseason.