The Drill: Tyler Woelber embraces summer ball in Sibley
Jun. 15—SIBLEY, Iowa. — The threat of cold or rainy weather — or both — was always a concern during the 2022 Minnesota spring high school baseball season. The beginning of the year was awful, and though there were a few beautiful days, most players and fans would probably be unanimous that there weren't enough of them.
In Iowa, however, bad weather for the high school baseball season is not nearly so worrisome. It's a summer season, beginning in late May, and, frankly, it feels more like baseball.
Of course, there are pros and cons to both spring and summer baseball, especially when you're a high school senior. In Iowa, you've just graduated. If you're not in love with baseball, you might have other summer hobbies that are more important to you. And then there are vacation plans that can get in the way.
You might have a summer job, or want one. Can you work at a job and still go to your high school baseball practices and games?
Some would-be ballplayers choose the job. Others feel fortunate that they can do both.
Tyler Woelber, a recently-graduated senior from Sibley-Ocheyedan, is one of the fortunate ones. He played football in the fall, and now is finishing up his prep career in his favorite sport. He's got a job, and his employer makes it possible for him to play baseball, too.
Woelber is this week's Drill subject, and The Globe asked him to give us his thoughts on summer versus spring baseball.
"Playing baseball during the summer, I personally enjoy. Although it takes up some of my free time in the summer, I would much rather have it in the summer than during the spring. 'Cuz then it interferes with school and what-not," he said. "During the summer — I just started this year — I'm working at MRK Electric. That's in Matlock, Iowa. I'm just general labor. They're very flexible with their hours, so I can still get to practice on time and to games."
The Sibley-Ocheyedan Generals got off to a good start this year in baseball, winning their first three games. Woelber, who has enjoyed baseball since he was "a little kid," also got off to a good start at the plate. He plays several positions, making him an important player.
An avid outdoorsman, he also enjoys hunting and fishing. He also enjoys golf, though he has limited his prep sports to football and baseball.
You can see our Drill video footage of Tyler on the baseball field online at
. Here's a sample of the interview:
QUESTION: What positions do you play in baseball?
ANSWER: "For baseball, I mainly catch and pitch. For the past couple of years I've played short(stop), left(-field), right(-field), second (base). Basically every position except for first base. I will have to say, I enjoy catching or pitching. Seems to be a good fit for me."
QUESTION: What would you say are your best qualities as a baseball player?
ANSWER: "Probably my best pitch would be the fastball or the curveball. I've improved since last year, for sure. 'Cuz last year my batting was not the greatest. And this year I think I'm batting like .475 (through June 1). To improve my batting, I focus a lot on the tee. I'm not trying to kill the ball. I'm just trying to put the ball in play somewhere."
QUESTION: Who most inspires you in sports?
ANSWER: "The person who's always inspired me in sports would be my dad, Steve Woelber. He always pushed me to do my greatest in sports. He never ever forced me to go out for a sport, but always whenever I did he always made sure that I gave it 100 percent in everything I did."
