One of the top catchers in St. Louis Cardinals history, Ted Simmons, will join pitching legend Al Hrabosky and Hall of Famer Steve Carlson for Hot Springs' Second Annual Baseball Weekend Oct. 11-12.
Simmons replaces pitcher Bob Gibson, another Cardinals legend, who had to cancel his appearance.
Simmons played for the Cardinals from 1968-1980, earning six All-Star Game appearances while catching two no-hitters and set a National League record with 182 home runs as a switch-hitter. At his retirement, he led all catchers in career hits and doubles while ranking second in RBI to Yogi Berra and second in total bases to Carlton Fisk. He hit .300 seven different times, hit 20 home runs six times and caught 122 shutouts.
"Hot Springs' documented history as the place where Major League Baseball's spring training began has gained worldwide credence, and the annual Baseball Weekend focuses the attention of baseball lovers and historians on our city," said Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison. "Our Historic Baseball Trail makes it easy for fans to visit the spots throughout Hot Springs where legends such as Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Honus Wagner came to take the thermal baths, work out on our mountain trails and play teams from other Major League cities in spring practice games."
The weekend's activities will be free and open to the public.
Fountain Lake-Bismarck split match at DeGray
CADDO VALLEY -- Fountain Lake's boys and Bismarck's girls walked away with wins Monday afternoon at DeGray Lake Resort Golf Course as the Cobras held off the Lions by five strokes. The Lady Lions won by 30 strokes.
The Cobras carded a 133 to earn the win with Bismarck shooting a 138 and Cossatot River turning in a 182. Christopher Desfassiaux earned medalist honors in the nine-hole match with a 6-over 42 with Bismarck's Jacob Loy earning runner-up medalist honors with a 43.
Zach Redifer shot a 44 with Carson McCoy turning in a 47 to complete the Cobras' team card. Lachlan McMurray shot a 58.
Bismarck's team card also featured scores from Logan Bubulka (47) and Blake Smith (48). Braden Efird finished with a 50.
The Lady Lions shot a 137 for the win with Cossatot River turning a 167 and Fountain Lake a 181 for third.
Bismarck's Gloria Berry shot a 44 to earn medalist honors with teammate Makenna Norris shooting a 46 for runner-up medalist honors. Anna Cain rounded out the team card with a 47, and Hannah Collie shot a 48.
The Lady Cobras were led by Camille McDaniel's 56 with Sydney Mungle turning in a 58 and Savannah Inglehart adding a 67. Kami Garret finished with a 69.
Jessieville wins, takes second at Glenwood
GLENWOOD -- Jessieville senior Aaron Ford earned medalist honors Monday afternoon as the Lions finished second and the Lady Lions won at Glenwood Country Club. Centerpoint won the boys match with the Lady Knights finishing second.
Ford led 14 golfers from Jessieville, Centerpoint and Ashdown to earn top honors with a 44. Jarrett Davis shot a 52 with Andrew Graves added a 57 for a 153 team score. James Davis put up a 64 with Grant Huneycutt shooting a 72.
Centerpoint turned a team card of 138 for the win. The Knights were led by Kaden Owens with a 45 who earned runner-up medalist honors with Gabe Doster shooting a 46 and Kaden Horn a 47 to round out the team's card. Blake Sorrells shot a 49, Dillon Fox had a 50, Jace Clark a 52 and Austin Gould a 63.
Centerpoint's Kaydra Fox earned medalist honors with a 50. Maddie Plyler shot a 63 and Bailey Brown had a 65 for a 178. Josie Galloway also shot a 70.
The Lady Lions turned in a 175 for the win. Kelsey Saveall led Jessieville with a 54 for runner-up medalist honors. Callie Pedersen had a 55, and Jill Robertson rounded out the team card with a 66.
Okla. Baptist named women's soccer favorite
RUSSELLVILLE -- Following last season's NCAA Division II women's soccer championship appearance, Oklahoma Baptist enters the 2019 season as the preseason favorite, the Great American Conference announced Tuesday.
The Bison, the defending GAC regular-season and tournament champions, earned five of the seven first-place votes with Southwestern Oklahoma State placing one first-place vote, and Southern Nazarene earned the final vote.
Oklahoma Baptist took the first undefeated and untied conference slate in conference history in 2018. GAC Offensive Player of the Year Ruth King returns for the team after ranking third in the league in goals and points, and the team also returns two All-GAC First Team selections with one All-GAC Second Team selection.
SWOSU has produced a top-11 offense in all of Division II for the past three seasons with the Bulldogs featuring record-setting due Alimata Rabo and Sandra Nabweteme, but Rabo has moved on from the university. Nabweteme is a two-time All-American who was second to Rabo in goals and points while leading the league in assists.
Ouachita Baptist took a slight edge over Harding for third with last season's Newcomer of the Year Ashlyn Heckman and Freshman of the Year Jaymee Dotson returning. The Tigers also return five All-GAC honorees.
Harding has to replace Bethany Sutherland, the team's most decorated scorer. Sutherland was a three-time All-American and ranked second in GAC history on goals, points and shots.
The Crimson Storm tallied 17 points for fifth in the polling with three All-GAC selection returning. East Central and Northwestern Oklahoma State rounded out the poll.
The season opens on Sept. 5 with the GAC Championships set for Nov. 14 and 16 at the site of the regular-season champion.
Sports on 08/21/2019