Play ball!

That was the welcome sound of summer this week as the boys and girls of summer began league play at the Dexter Sports Complex.

Seven leagues are taking the field this summer at the complex - Instructional League, Rookie League, American League, Minor League, Major League, National League, and Senior Girls League.

It was a busy first week of activities for the youngsters participating in baseball and softball with the Dexter Park and Recreation Department.

Clear evening skies - and hot temperatures - were the watchwords for the first week of league play. As coaches and players got used to playing together, folks gathered at the Dexter Sports Complex for evening games! The ShowMe Times was on hand as well, and will continue to be thoughout the exciting season ahead.

ShowMe Times Gallery

Order prints To order prints from this gallery, look for the "Buy" button at the top of the gallery page. You will be able to select photo sizes and other photo products and pay online using your credit or debit card.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

Scores of future Bearcats took to the field Thursday (June 2) night at the baseball complex.


This youngster, on Rainey-Mathis’ team - coached by Kenny Pope, Eric Sitze, and Chad Allen - warms up just before his turn at the plate against Missouri Southern Healthcare’s team - coached by Dave Ellinghouse, Jeff Slusher, and Doug Moore.


Make sure to check back with the ShowMe Times this weekend for the week’s scores and pictures!

Dexter Park and Rec Baseball and Softball Season Begins

One thing that marks the summer is the excitement that fills the air at the baseball and softball complex. With a few days practice and a quick brush up on the fundamentals, boys and girls of all ages began their summer league play with the Dexter Parks and Rec Department.

With over 500 players and coaches this season, the Dexter Park and Rec continues a longstanding tradition of summer fun with the summer youth baseball and softball program.

Teams will play throughout the season during the month of June on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The ShowMe Times will provide schedules for the season as quickly as possible for your convenience.

Check back for great action pictures and team pictures throughout the summer.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The DHS Women’s track team, following a very successful season, competed in the Class 3 Girls State Track Meet on Friday (May 27) and Saturday (May 28).

The Lady ‘Cats sent their 4x100 meter relay team, consisting of sophomores Brooke Baker and Samantha Midgett, as well as juniors Taylor Martin and Lindsey Hindman, to the meet held at Dwight T. Reed Stadium.

The Lady ‘Cats were barely beaten out of advancing to the second day of the meet, qualifying ninth in the preliminaries with a time of 50.86. Sikeston, the eighth team to qualify, finished with a 50.80.

Despite the undesirable outcome, these young ladies have nothing to do but improve for next year – and hopefully bring home a gold medal!

Photo above SMT File Photo: Lindsey Hindman gets the Lady 'Cats off to a good start during the 4x100 meter relay of the DHS Open (April 19).

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Tyler MIller was the lone member of the DHS Tennis team to represent the Bearcats in the State Tennis Tournament held at Cooper Tennis Complex. The double-elimination tournament began Friday (May 27) and ends Saturday (May 28).


Miller lost his first match of the day, where he played Brock Baade of Savannah High School.

“At the beginning, I didn’t play good at all,” Miller said. “I went down 5-0, but I found the groove and started to make a comeback.”


Miller won the next three games of the set, but fell just short, losing 6-3.

The second set of the match was more competitive, with Miller forcing a tiebreaker, but he fell 7-5. “I thought I had it under control in the second set, but I let [Brock] slide back into it,” Miller added.

The second match, Miller faced Connor Frazier of Greenwood High School (Springfield). Frazier took the first set 7-5.


“I was playing great in the beginning of the first set,” Miller said, “but then [Frazier] started playing a little better - not as much me not playing as good, he just came on.”



In the second set, Miller couldn’t get in the groove of the game, and he lost 6-2.

“I just couldn’t get anything going in the set,” Miller added.


Despite the undesirable outcome, Miller represented the Bearcats well. He noted that most of the people in the tournament had the aid of a private tennis instructor, and have been playing the game since a very young age - Miller said that he never played tennis before the sixth grade.

“It’s an honor to be here,” Miller said in an exclusive interview with the ShowMe Times “They’re the best players around, so its just good to go up against the best so you can tell how good you actually are. You don’t get better playing bad opponents.”



“The competition today was much harder than it was all season,” Miller added. “Other than a few people I’ve played this season, these guys were far better than anyone I’ve ever played.”


Always the competitor, Miller was already lining out things that he needed to improve in his game before next season.


“I need to work on changing the pace on the ball,” Miller said. “I just need to continue to get more consistent - playing through long points and not give up and try to hit a winner. I need to do what I’m capable of doing.”


 With hard work between now and next season, you can expect this young man - going into his senior year - to do great things in the DHS Athletic program, but not just on the tennis court - Miller is a three sport athlete!


You can see him on Friday nights as he plays wide receiver on the football team in the fall, as well as in the gym during the winter when he hopes to lead the basketball team to another successful season.

Thanks to Bearcat Mom - and SMT reader - Tracy Miller for the photos!