The Jackson Giants were able to get on the field last weekend for their first game of the year. It was a loss, but for Coach Jason Huggins and his Boys of Summer, just getting back to baseball in these trying times was a win. The local Post 43 Legion ballclub was back in action last weekend in Idaho Falls for their first tournament of the season. Saturday’s game was a rainout but the Giants did manage to get one in with the Idaho Falls Tigers. It was a pitcher’s duel through six innings when a 0-0 tie was broken wide open into a 11-2 loss for Jackson. Still, team manager Jason Huggins, now in his 11th year heading the Legion baseball team, said the real victory was just getting back on the diamond and playing some hardball. Everyone, every team at the tourney seemed to enjoy just that aspect. The game was played very much as it has been for the past 150 years—the rubber is 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate, bases are 90 feet apart—those things did not change. But there were other public health protocols that might take some getting used to. Hitters reaching home plate after a dinger are not mobbed by their teammates. Not even the on-deck batter offers a high five. Dugout chatter is non-existent as teams are not allowed to congregate their entire team in close proximity. Huggins admitted the team is a little behind when it comes to preparation but expects to see more of the team that made it to the championship game last year for the first time in its history. The Giants head to Rock Springs this weekend for a four-game tournament before returning home for the first time on June 5.
