It really is a small world

Every so often, we're leveled with one of those "it's a small world" realizations.

One happened to me today.

I learned that Grant Muncrief, the talented ballplayer from Farmington, will spend his summer playing in the Northwoods League, one of the premier wood-bat circuits in the country. Grant, who just wrapped up his freshman year at Wichita State (the Shockers just missed the College World Series), reports this weekend to the Duluth Huskies, who play at venerable Wade Stadium on the shores of Lake Superior, just a stone's throw from I-35.

I know this because I worked at Wade Stadium for three years, my parents are a host family for the Huskies and they have season tickets. My dad spends many a summer night sipping a Coke from the third row directly behind home plate.

I'm headed home next week for an extended vacation. No doubt, I'll head to "The Wade" for a ballgame or two, maybe just a few innings. But it will be beyond bizarre to watch a guy I covered right here in Farmington playing in my hometown. While Grant has a great opportunity to go head to head with some of the best Division I players in the land, he'd be wise to pack a few sweatshirts, maybe a parka. On Wednesday, my mom told me to do just that for my upcoming trip after that day's high was 43 with two inches of rain in the forecast.

Can't wait for that. 

***

Brian Kortan got off to a slow start in the U.S. Open on Thursday. Kortan, the Albuquerque golfer who is a past winner of the San Juan Open, posted a seven-over 78. He did, though, fare better than Colin Montgomerie. So he's got that goin' for him, which is nice.