The Race is on!

[edin]

WMSTR 1st Annual Steam Traction Races of 2009. Long engine line-up, big crowd, and lots of cheering and smiles! Fun slow race followed by tricky pole competition. Slow race operator winners were Darren and Shelly Gunderson - engine - 20 Minneapolis owned by Jeff Knutson. Pole race winner was Kenneth with his "little Smokey". Thanks Ned for spearheading such fun!

Edin's Last Pioneer Farm

http://www.facebook.com/v/1185889458359" - The Slow Race

http://www.facebook.com/v/1185884578237" - Colt Edin on the "Mighty 28 Minneapolis competing in the pole race

Winner of the Pole Race - Kenneth
Winner of the Slow Race - Gundersons

[Ned]

Thanks to EVERYONE!!!! That helped out with out the team effort the games wouldn't have happened. Maybe next year we will get more engines. It was FUN!! I hope everyone enjoyed themselves.
Maybe next year we can have a heat of just twin cylinder engines hint hint (avery and gaar scott guys oh and reeves too)

Erik the ned :smilie_flagge13:

Thanks again guys and gals

[Reine de vapeur]

Perhaps during our next visit, we can stay and participate too. You have enough room to play steam baseball....

Beth

[M Kerkvliet]

You have enough room to play steam baseball....

Beth

You will have to enlighten me on that one Beth! How does that work?

[Reine de vapeur]

Mark,

There are variations--depending on number of participants, available area, and sense of humor--but it is simple:

2 Teams, 2 people per engine (operator & batter/retriever), 1 pitcher, 1 catcher, a referee or 2, a bat or shovel depending on your abilities..., sawdust for bases-or they'll get moved and sometimes catch fire, and a good announcer.

1st engine up sits next to home plate while the batter hits. Once the ball has been hit-and not fouled-the batter has to jump on the engine BEFORE the engineer takes off for 1st base. The outfielders have to come within 10 ft (or best guess) of the ball before the retriever can jump off & throw it to the pitcher or tag the engine.

It came be time consuming, so only an inning or two really gets played, but the more shenanigans that happens, the more fun.

Small engines are easier to maneuver, but our 32 Reeves with the power steering is fun too. Since it is so big, it is already half way to the base and can block the outfielder's attempts to get the ball....but a royal pain to crawl up and down from.

Impromptu rules always help......just be prepared to have an egg shaped ball when you are done...they don't survive being run over by a steam engine very well:woohoo1:

We ran out of room at NTA, but sure did have fun the years we played.

Beth

[Rachel Baker]

Here are some pictures from this year's Steam Engine Games!! Hopefully this will become an annual event - I think everyone had a great time! Thank you to everyone that helped get everything together!

[Rachel Baker]

A couple more pics of the games....and one of a couple of the members of Ned's fan club! :)

[Ned]

If anyone wants to do a slow race next year please let me know!!! Or the pole game just send me a pm or look me up at the show

Erik "the ned" Mars :smilie_flagge13: