The anniversary of North America's biggest military battle happens next week, against the wishes of many who would just like to forget - put behind - the sacrifice and commitment of all those who fought to make America, good and bad, what it is today. ""Any understanding of this nation has to be based on an understanding of the Civil War. It defined us." - Historian Shelby Foote

Response to weekend youth baseball coverage has been mostly positive, and the negatives point out the facts for why community baseball is struggling, and why more kids aren't playing.

Day three of the Craig Stammen Classic was stunning for the fact of heretofore 'unheard ofs' (Fort Loramie's Reid Simon, above) who showed remarkable talent, athleticism and instinct to play baseball...while having just begun to play.

While you won't see it in Versailles this weekend, amateur community baseball going forward faces challenges that current culture struggles to address.  And who'da' thunk it...about something that's so simple and good?  Marion Local's Jordan Langenkamp (above, in blue) had a highlight moment during Friday's 14u action.