"When is Rapid City Post 22 ever going to be home again?" has been the oft-used question in recent days.

The Post 22 squad is coming off a five-day trip to Wyoming and Colorado and after two days off is on the road again. They were scheduled to play in Mitchell last night to begin another five-day road trip which culminates in the College World Series American Legion baseball tourney in Omaha. The Mitchell game was called off by rain.

"You learn things by playing on the road," Post 22 coach Dave Ploof said. "You don't have your mother, dad or girlfriend around so you have to focus on other things. Being on the road helps develop that inner half."

As usual, the Rapid City squad will be playing some of the top Omaha teams, including Westside and Prep.

"You always see the best teams in Omaha, and that's what we need," Ploof said.

Post 22 has a 17-7 record after going 4-1 in the Cherry Creek tournament.

"We had an outstanding tournament against some quality teams," Ploof said. "Our pitchers couldn't keep the ball down against Pueblo (a 17-9 setback) and they hit the ball hard and long. Their pitcher is going to Wichita State on a full-ride scholarship and he was throwing just under 90 miles per hour. We actually hit him pretty well."

Most of the teams that Rapid City played in the tournament were Connie Mack teams, which means they can recruit from any place in the state to fill out their rosters.

"We're heading in the right direction," Ploof said. "Our defense has really been stepping up, our pitching has been good, but we need more depth. Our hitting has been erratic, but we'll work on that aspect and work hard."

Ploof continues to look at players at almost every position.

"We need to play people to see what they can do," Ploof said. "Right now, we have three different kids for designated hitter and four infielders we are looking at."

After this trip, Post 22 is at home against Dickinson, N.D., on Tuesday, the Colorado Aces on Wednesday and begins the five-day Rich Hinseth & Merle Bach Agency Tournament on June 21.

Post 22 has one "long" road trip

remaining in the regular season. They play in Aberdeen on July 11, then participate in the Gopher Classic in Minneapolis beginning July 13.

They will be playing in the new $3.5 million complex in Minnetonka during pool play in the Gopher Classic, always one of the top tournaments in the nation. There's a possibility that a game against Minnesota will be televised by FSN.

Contact Roger Toland at 394-8430 or roger.toland@rapidcityjournal.com