At the end of school in the afternoon, the game day routine begins.

The Northern Lehigh softball team gathers bats, balls, bases, helmets, catcher’s equipment, water containers and whatever else is needed for the day.

Systematically, the players load up six or seven vehicles — driven by seniors and juniors — with 16 players who are transported to meet Coach Dan Caruso at Eagles Nest Park, which is about nine minutes from the high school.

This they do to play all their home games — away from home.

On the very same afternoon, the Bulldogs’ baseball team begins its game day routine. Coach Gerald Kresge loads the bats, baseballs, helmets, catching gear and whatever else is needed into his vehicle. At the same time, 15 of his varsity players load themselves into as many as 10 vehicles and travel to Bryfogle Park, which is about four miles from the school.

And, yes, this is what they do to play all their home games — away from home.

Since the end of last year’s softball and baseball seasons, both coaches, all their players and their parents were informed that this dilemma was how it was going to be for the spring season of 2025. There would be no “home” games.

That information, though, has not necessarily made all the needed preparations any easier.

Practices are also an issue without the school’s fields, which were built along with the school in 1981.

“We have to be aware of the weather of course,” said Caruso, whose team was permitted to use the field in Walnutport before it was committed to a community league program. “Bad weather puts us in the gym where we can hit and throw, but ground balls off the hard floor are not close to what the girls will have to field on dirt and grass.

“Then we might get to Eagles Nest, which has been our home for the last part of our schedule, and a storm or rain has us hustling back into our cars. We have a school bus taking our JV team to and from practices and games, but our varsity decided that they wanted to drive themselves.”

Plans for the new softball and baseball fields were drawn up three years ago, which included replacing dugouts, installing sod, erecting new scoreboards and putting up outfield fences — the latter where previously there had been none.

“The target date to complete the fields was November, but several delays and permits for everything set back the time frame,” said Kresge. “We actually tried different practice times, and we even went on the football field turf with the lights on, but that ended.

“Then we had practices on the Emerald Little League Field until their league started. They helped us turn 60 foot base lines into 90 feet by cutting away some of the grass, but we still couldn’t work infield double plays or play all our positions like we could on an actual high school field.”

The logistics with practices and games also became the responsibilities of Northern Lehigh Athletic Director Bryan Geist.

“There’s a lot of communication involved with transportation, with the assignment of game officials, as well as with the coaches” said Geist. “And we always have to be aware of the weather. In case a bus isn’t there when bad weather hits, we need to be sure the teams have shelter.”

There also is the matter of having medical staff on site. Geist said that the school sends two trainers and another from St. Luke’s whenever possible. St. Luke’s has had a contract with the school district since 2012 and have contributed much of the funds for the new field facilities, which will include interior bathrooms where before Port-O-Johnnies were used on both sites.

Sometimes, minor problems arise at Eagles Nest and at Bryfogle. Caruso mentioned that the special tool to dig out the holes for the base pegs was missing.

“We used our hands to dig out the holes,” he said. “The kids have been great. We do whatever we do to make it work.”

Kresge said that locations for times of practices and games can change daily.

“Every night I text players, parents and anyone else who needs to know where and at what time we will be practicing.”

Sod was recently planted on both of the new fields, but there are seams between each layer and it will take time for the grass to take root that will move the schedule for softball and baseball into next season.

Both coaches share in the disappointment their seniors feel for not being able to have actual home games in their final year.

“I’ve heard more than once my seniors ask, ‘Can’t we play just one home game on the new field?’” said Geist.

Senior Nights will take place at the “home” fields each team is using.

Both Caruso and Kresge said that despite the challenges they had this year, the parents have been very cooperative, and they give much credit to Geist for his work in organizing the entire operation.

“It doesn’t matter where we play,” said Caruso. “To be successful in the game and successful in life, I tell our team that if you are full of belief, you are free of doubt.”

**********

ALL-TIME BESTS ... Palmerton’s Ryan Burkett and Northwestern’s Gavin Nelson not only broke school records recently, but also established all-time bests in the Times News area. And, those bests had stood for many years.

Nelson cleared 6-10 in the high jump last Tuesday, breaking the Tigers record of 6-8 1/4 which was previously accomplished in 1991 by Mike Wertman. Nelson also bettered the Northern Lehigh stadium mark (where the meet was held) of 6-9 which was held by Brian Richard of Palisades. The 6-9 figure was also the previous Times News area best, which stood for 42 years. That mark was set by Tamaqua’s Dave Keich in 1983.

Burkett, meanwhile, had a memorable discus throw on April 15 at Jim Thorpe. The Blue Bomber recorded a distance of 187-4 to set a stadium, school and TN area best mark. His monster toss erased the previous best throw at Thorpe, which was held by Southern Lehigh’s Andrew Rochon (156-6) since 2017. But even more impressive was the breaking of the school and all-time TN record — which were one in the same. Palmerton’s Mike Dakan had a throw of 180-0 in 1974, and that top figure stood for 51 years before Burkett’s accomplishment.

**********

REMEMBERING THE CHAMPS ... Northwestern and Lehighton will play a Colonial League softball game this evening at DeSales University, just like the two team’s baseball squads did on Sunday.

The Tiger softball team, the home team, will also celebrate Senior Night — much like their baseball team did the night before.

But what will make the evening even more special is the fact that the school will hold a special ceremony honoring the 40-year anniversary of the 1985 Northwestern state championship squad, which was coached by Hope Donnell.

**********

TICKETS PUNCHED ... Four area baseball teams and one softball squad have already clinched district playoff berths, while many other clubs are close to punching their postseason ticket.

Both Northwestern teams clinched a while ago, with the baseball team at 16-2 and the softball squad with a 15-1 mark. Tamaqua’s baseball club also secured a district spot a few weeks ago and currently sport a 14-1 record. The other area baseball teams already in are Lehighton (9-6) and Marian (8-7), who have each clinched based on their league standing.

Other squads close to clinching include Palmerton baseball and Pleasant Valley softball. The Bombers need one more league victory to earn a berth, while the Bears can secure their spot with a single win.

**********

TOP SEEDS ... Lehighton brothers Bayto and Bekim Cokrlija have been named the top seeds in the upcoming District 11 Class 2A doubles tournament.

The Indian duo are the only area players that will be competing in the event, which will take place at Lehigh University.

The first round and quarterfinals will take place on Wednesday, with the semifinals and championship round slated for Thursday.