Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

It’s that time of year again where Austin becomes the epicenter of high school sports for Southeast Minnesota.

Over the next couple of weeks, the Riverland baseball complex will be hosting the Section 1A Tournament and Todd Park will host the Section 1A, Section 1AA and Section 1AAA softball tournaments.

It’s the one time of year where I feel spoiled as a sports writer as all of the best area teams come to Austin and I don’t have to make daily trips to Rochester to cover intense postseason contests.

The spring season hits its peak in late May as the weather usually is fantastic and the level of play is at its highest. In a short season that does not allow a lot of practice time or skill development, teams will put out their best effort when the postseason begins.

It’s also the time of year when you get the best crowds – especially over the last two years when Southland and Lyle-Pacelli both brought the majority of their communities to Dick Seltz Field in the Section 1A baseball championship. 

This year is sure to bring out a lot of fans as well and both tournaments are great to check out, even if you don’t have a specific team to cheer for.