IVL, Hawkeyes help each other
IOWA CITY - The University of Iowa baseball program has been a good provider of talent for the Iowa Valley League over the past several years.
So when Coach Rick Heller needed some rare summer competition for his Hawkeyes to sharpen their skills for a pair of upcoming tournaments, the IVL players and coaches were more than happy to help out.
The Hawkeyes, fresh off an NCAA Tournament appearance in June, were selected to represent the United States in the World University Games, scheduled for Aug. 16-30 in Taipei, Taiwan. Prior to that trip, the Hawkeyes will play in the National Baseball Congress World Series next week in Wichita, Kan.
Hence the need for some tuneup games.
"I called Fritz (Red Top general manager) Kinzenbaw in the winter and talked to him about it," Heller said after Iowa downed an IVL All-Star team, 7-3, Tuesday night at Duane Banks Field. "They were in the process of making their schedule and they were willing to help us out.
"I played in that league for a long time," Heller continued. "I really appreciate those guys taking their night league off and helping us to prepare to play in the World Games."
The Hawks will play another exhibition game against Red Top of the IVL on Thursday prior to opening play in the NBC World Series on Sunday night.