RAPID CITY - Longtime Post 22 fans Jim and Carole McCoy were at Fitzgerald Stadium the day Post 22 head coach Dave Ploof made his coaching debut 44 years ago.

"He lost," said Jim McCoy with a smile. "But he hasn't lost too many since. After Dave started we haven't had a bad team, one we weren't proud of."

Jim and Carole go to nearly every home game every season missing just a few. They also travel to many away games following the team bus in their car on prairie-filled highways to places such as Pierre, Sioux Falls, Billings and Omaha.

"Fitzgerald Stadium is so beautiful." said Carole McCoy. "And these boys work so hard. We love to see good baseball, whether it's here or places like Pierre."

The McCoys can be found occupying their box seats on the first-base side of Fitzgerald Stadium, usually enjoying a sunny day at the park eating popcorn and drinking Coca-Cola like they have so many times over the years. The McCoys reminisce about all the great Post 22 players and teams they've seen over the past 45 years.

"We've watched some very good boys play baseball here," Jim said. "Players like Jim Larson, Les Reiners, Jeff Andrews and Bill Gandy are just a few. Dave produces some great baseball players. But Post 22 is about more than just baseball. Dave builds good people, and that is what is most important. Post 22 is a great credit to Rapid City."

Ask Jim and Carole who they believe is the best team and players to ever come through Rapid City and the answers may surprise. The couple don't think the 1993 National Championship team was the best Post 22 team and group of players ever.

"The national championship team was great," Jim said. "But they weren't the best team to ever play here. I think the best group of players was during the Les Reiners era. When things got tough, Les always bailed the team out."

Les Reiners played from 1980 to 1983. The teams Reiners played for won three consecutive state championships, and they were part of a run of 17 consecutive state championships for Post 22 and Ploof that lasted from 1970 to 1987. Reiners still holds records in every major hitting and pitching category for Post 22.

Post 22 honored veterans for Memorial Day on May 25 and Jim, who served in the U.S. Army, stood to an ovation from the crowd. After serving in the Armed Forces he worked for Knecht Lumber until he retired.

"It is great to have fans like Jim and Carole who are really dedicated fans," Ploof said. "They have a real passion for baseball, and have a great interest in watching the boys grow. It's really fun to have fans that really enjoy the sport."