Post 8 is pleased to announce this year’s Hometown Hero winner, the late Bill Gayton.

Bill’s impact on baseball extends far beyond the field. For decades, he dedicated himself to helping young players grow not only as athletes, but as people. A teacher at heart, he believed in hard work, preparation, and giving every player an opportunity to succeed. He spent countless hours at the ballpark throwing batting practice, offering encouragement, sharing his knowledge of the game, and advocating for players who simply needed someone to believe in them. His influence helped shape generations of ballplayers, many of whom still credit him for lessons that carried far beyond the baseball field. Through his selfless service, unwavering support, and love of the game, he truly exemplifies what it means to be a Hometown Hero.

Congratulations to our 2026 Raffle Winners!

GREEN TICKETS
$100 Gas Card – Don’s Sinclair – Jim Poppen
$100 Ultimate Car Wash Package – DJ’s Clark – Brittney Schiefelbein
$100 Gift Card – Ashley/Unclaimed Freight Furniture – Lori Martinec
$100 Cash – Brittney Schiefelbein Agency – Tiffany Stoeser
$100 Cash – Post 8 Baseball – Don Gallimore
$100 Gift Card – Runnings – Russ Lampy
$75 Beef Certificate – American Bank and Trust – Kathy Heiss
One Month Unlimited Burn Membership – Carol McGregor
$50 Gift Card – Capitol City Florist – KD Munson
$50 Gift Card – Red Rossa – Jon Kotilnek
$50 Gift Card – Cattleman’s Club – Vickie Leitzke
$25 Gift Card – Shel’s – Connor Peshong
$25 Gift Card – Shel’s – Robin Carlson
$25 Gift Card – Shel’s – Craig Bump
$25 Gift Card – Shel’s – Jake Umiker

WHITE TICKETS
Hillsview Golf Course Single Adult Membership for 2026/2027 – Janae Burkhead
2 MN Twins Tickets–Dakota Radio Group + $100.00 -Post 8 – Sue Glodt
4 Tickets to the Sioux Falls Canaries + $50.00 – Post 8 – Trent Merkwan
Half-Day Hunt – Northstream Outfitters – Mark Small
$500 Gift Card – Slumberland Furniture – Trinity Houska
$200 Cash – Reinke Gray Wealth Management – Dusti Palecek

2026 Junior Legion Schedule

5/26. Vs. Brookings—-5/7pm

5/28. @ Brookings—–5/7pm

6/1. @Aberdeen—–4/6pm

6/3. Vs. Rapid City Post 320—-1/3pm

6/5-7 Harrisburg Tournament——TBD

6/9. Vs. Sioux Falls East—–3/5pm

6/16. Vs. Watertown—-5/7pm

6/18. @Brandon Valley—–4/6pm

6/22. @ Dakota Valley—-3/5pm

6/24. @Renner——4/6pm

6/26-28. Sioux Falls Invitational——TBD

7/1. @ Sioux Falls West 3/5pm

7/7. @Rapid City Post22 Bullets—-5pm (mtn)

7/8. Vs. Rapid City Post 22 Expos—–5pm

7/10-12. Brookings Tournament—–TBD

7/16. Vs. Renner——4/6pm

7/22-24. Regions———TBD

7/30-8/1 State Tournament @Sioux Falls

2026 Legion Schedule

5/27. Vs. Harrisburg—5/7pm

5/29. @ Brookings—5/7pm

6/2. @ Sioux Falls West—3/5pm

6/3. Vs. Sioux falls East—5/7pm

6/8. Vs. Brandon Valley—-5/7pm

6/10. @Bismark—–5/7pm

6/12-15^th Dakota classic (Sioux falls) —TBD

6/17. @ RapidCity 320—5pm (mtn)

6/19. Vs. Spearfish——4/6pm

6/22. Vs. Renner—–5/7pm

6/24.  Vs. Aberdeen——3/5pm

6/30. Vs. Mitchell——4/6pm

7/2. Vs. Huron——-5/7pm

7/6. @ Watertown—-5/7pm

7/10-14. Gopher Classic——TBD

7/22-24. Regions—–TBD

7/28-8/1. State Tournament @Rapid City post 22

Post 8 is excited to host the U14 State Tournament this year at beautiful Hyde Stadium and Kelly Field. The event will be held July 24th through 26th, 2026, with a rain date of July 27th, 2026.

Registration for all individuals wanting to play Post 8 Baseball for the 2026 season will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at the American Legion Cabin. NEW players must bring a copy of their birth certificate. The registration fee is $50.00, payable to Post 8 Baseball.

This weekend was the State Tournament for the U13-U15/16 Teams.  Of the four Post 8 teams playing, we had a combined record of 15-4 for the weekend.  The 15/16U Team made the Semi-finals, the 14U Team won the State Championship, the 13U Team placed 2nd, and the 13/14U Team went 2-2 on the weekend.  It was a fantastic weekend.

The Post 8 U14 Team won the U14 State Championship this past weekend in Aberdeen.  As the defending State Champions, they finished the season with a record of 33-4.  The Team won all three games in pool play with a 4-3 win over Post 15 (Sioux Falls) a 19-0 win over Yankton, and a 10-3 win over Mitchell.  Post 8 went into the Championship bracket in the number one seed and played Watertown.  Despite trailing 10-3 in the second inning, Post 8 came back to win 10-12.  In the Championship game, Post 8 faced Brandon Valley.  Fuhrman earned the win for Post 8, surrendering five hits and four runs (three earned) over seven innings, striking out six batters.  The team accumulated 12 hits up and down the line up with Northrup, Lindekugel, Goodlander, and Rodriguez collecting multiple hits.  The team is coached by Jim Iverson.

Photo: Top Row – Hayden Northrup, Jace Hand, Deacon Ries, Tripp Lindekugel, LaTrelle Rodriguez, Joseph Blaha, Coach Jim Iverson
Bottom Row – Bat Boys, Tate Kirschenmann and Bodie Hand, Lathan Rounds, Jett Kirschenmann, Tucker Swenson, Janzen Arrow, Brecken Fuhrman, Tace Palecek, Kaden Goodlander, Bat Boy, David Blaha

Tonight kicks off the postseason for all of our Pierre Post 8 Baseball teams with the Legion hosting Huron in a best of three first round playoff matchup. The winner earns a berth in the State Tournament. Game one is at Hyde Stadium tonight with first pitch at 7:00 PM. Game two is scheduled for 1:00 PM tomorrow, with the “If Necessary” game to follow.

2025 Season Passes will be honored for these games. Season passes usually do not work for tournaments and postseason games, but an exception is being made due to the limited number of home games the Legion team played this year.

We hope to see you at Hyde Stadium tonight cheering on The Eights as they look to qualify for the state tournament!

The younger level Post 8 teams will be playing in their state tournaments this Friday through Sunday.

• 15/16U State Tournament is hosted by Yankton. Post 8 plays Renner at 12:00 PM and Brandon Valley at 2:30 on Friday.
• 13/14U State Tournament is in Sioux Falls. Post 8 plays Watertown at 2:30 PM and Spearfish at 7:30 PM on Friday.
• 14U State Tournament is in Aberdeen. Post 8 plays SF Post 15 at 12:00 PM on Friday. On Saturday they play Yankton at 8:00 AM and Mitchell at 3:30 PM.
• 13U State Tournament is in Brookings. Post 8 plays Renner at 5:00 PM on Friday. On Saturday they play Dakota Valley at 12:00 PM and Watertown at 6:00 PM.

You can follow all the teams on GameChanger by searching “Pierre Post 8”.

KCCR has or will post articles on all teams heading into their postseason play. The younger level articles have a link to the full schedule for the respective state tournaments. Thank you Jon Winkler and KCCR!

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