ST. CATHARINE, Ky. — The stage is set for the Super RegionalBaseball Tournament. St. Catharine College’s 3-year-old field isnamed Edelon-Hayden Park, nestled in the rolling green hills ofcentral Kentucky. The college campus sits above the baseballdiamond.

Most of the props are in place, with the exception of a pressbox, restroom facilities and a grandstand. Amenities aside, thelocation is beautiful.

Located 15 miles south of Bardstown on Highway 150, the campusfeatures several ongoing construction projects. The school hasprovided two portajohns and probably could use a few more toaccommodate the four teams and their followers.

Co-Lin sophomore first baseman Ben Sandifer of Brookhavenflashed a broad smile when he was asked about he field. “It’sbeautiful. I look forward to playing on it tomorrow.”

Ryan Belanger, a Co-Lin pitcher from Houma, La., also wasimpressed with the picturesque setting. “This is wonderful. You cansee for miles.”

Depth perception could be a problem for batters, especially forthe visitors. Behind the low outfield fence is a distant tree line,blue sky and green hills.

Freshman outfielder Xavier Qualls of Brookhaven will be chasingdown fly balls and line drives today when the Wolves play Lenoir(N.C.) in the 11 a.m. tournament opener. The field is good. Itlooks like you’re in the open.”

Pitcher/first baseman Scotty Smith of Brookhaven took aworkmanlike view of the situation. “The infield is hard. I took alot of bad bounces at first base.”

From Co-Lin head coach Keith Case’s viewpoint, Sullivan Field onthe Co-Lin campus in Wesson would be the preferred location forthis double-elimination affair. His Wolves won the SoutheastDistrict of Super Regional back in 2000, advancing to the WorldSeries in Millington, Tenn.

“It’s nice if you’re the home team,” said Case. “The outfieldwas rough. The balls were jumping right and left during fungopractice.”

According to St. Catherine head coach Luther Bramlett, the fielddries out in a hurry. There’s an 80 percent chance ofthundershowers today. Rain, in this case, is a dirty word. The wetstuff would cause havoc in a double-elimination tournament likethis one.

Three games are scheduled Friday and the championship isSaturday, weather permitting.

Bramlett, in his fourth year at the helm of Patriot baseball,said the area usually gets around 20 inches of snow in the winter,mostly 3 or 4 inches at a time. Rain created lots of schedulingproblems this spring, as it did in Mississippi.

Co-Lin sophomore pitcher Lance Deville made an interestingobservation about the weather. “The air feels different here,”rubbing his left forearm.

Sun shined brightly and the temperature was in the mid 70s but aslight breeze was blowing during practice. Add low humidity andit’s a no-sweat practice.

Injury bug bites Co-Lin again

Ouch! The injury bug, which has chewed on the Wolves all season,caught up with Co-Lin Wednesday. Assistant coach Bryan Nobile washit in the nose by an errant throw during practice. Utility playerGregory Ketchings pulled a back muscle just after infield practicestarted.

Ketchings was iced down by Co-Lin athletic trainer Matt McClainand student trainer Dara Moak. Ketchings was able to move afterseveral minutes of therapy but his status for the regional isdoubtful at best. The freshman from Natchez called home for amuscle relaxer prescription.

Case said the injury would reduce the number of Co-Lin subs.Ketchings can play second base and pinch run.

Wishing him well.

Case talked to Co-Lin public address announcer Dennis Whiteyesterday. White, a devoted volunteer, scorekeeper, clock operator,etc., had to miss most of the season due to an ongoing bout withcancer. He is under going chemo therapy. Keep him in your thoughtsand prayers.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o. The DAILY LEADER,P.O. BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602, or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com