In the latest development of a season-long what-else-is-new scheduling disaster, the Gophers baseball game with Augsburg today has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict.
MinnesotaâÄôs non-conference opponent Augsburg had its series with Macalester rained out last weekend and subsequently rescheduled it for today.
Since Augsburg and Macalester are conference opponents, that series takes priority over the single game with the Gophers, per conference rules.
The volatile spring weather led to poor field conditions over the weekend, so the teams postponed the games and changed venues since the Auggies home field, Parade Stadium, remains unplayable.
With the Metrodome out of commission, the weather picked an unfortunate time to dole out an exceptionally wet winter and early spring.
Augsburg head coach Keith Bateman said he hopes to be able to reschedule the game with Minnesota because his team has had at least eight games postponed or cancelled this spring. The GophersâÄô early-season schedule has been likewise eviscerated âÄî so far 14 games have been cancelled.
Even for a small school like Augsburg, which doesnâÄôt use the Metrodome as frequently as the Gophers, this seasonâÄôs horde of postponed and cancelled games is an oddity.
âÄúIâÄôve never experienced anything like it to be honest with you,âÄù Bateman said.
According to AugsburgâÄôs team site, the single game with Minnesota has been postponed, but the GophersâÄô team site listed it as cancelled.
âÄúThe fact that weâÄôre so close [geographically] is going to help out,âÄù Bateman said.
Augsburg has not played a game since March 19, and Bateman said his squad would be lucky to get on the field at Parade by April 11.
The cancellation leaves Minnesota (10-9 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) without another game to accumulate innings for its already-underworked pitching staff. Anderson said itâÄôs difficult to keep his players sharp without the repetition and routine midweek games provide.
Speaking after his teamâÄôs game Saturday, Anderson didnâÄôt sound optimistic that the game would be played because of the concern over condition of Siebert FieldâÄôs playing surface.
âÄúIâÄôd like to be able to get a routine down for everybody,âÄù Anderson said Saturday. âÄúGet some at-bats and get some pitchers on the mound, but the weather doesnâÄôt look good the next couple days and if we get the rain and snow, our field is not going to be ready. ItâÄôs going to be a stretch [to play Tuesday] if we get the weather weâÄôre supposed to get.
âÄúAll we can do is try to keep guys sharp in practice the best we can. WeâÄôll do bullpens, but itâÄôs not the same as being in open space, but itâÄôs all we have right now.âÄù
