Aurora hits home run by adding baseball to its lineup

Well, this is a bit of a curveball. 
The Aurora 4R School Board hit a home run last week, unanimously approving baseball as a spring activity, beginning with the upcoming 2023-24 school year. 
In some ways, this felt a bit like a backdoor breaking ball. In multiple previous attempts, there was not enough support in the batter’s box to add the spring sport, which has boomed in popularity around the state. 
But, like any good pitcher, 4R Supt. Jody Phillips continued to pound the zone, to the point where he struck out the side. 
Aurora has always had a love affair -- and maybe sometimes difficult -- relationship with the game of baseball. Those who have been around for decades and others who read our ‘Do you remember’ section will know that Aurora has had some really good baseball teams over the years. 
It goes all the way back nearly a century. Aurora has a winning tradition on the diamond. This community has played host to many state tournaments and monumental baseball games over the years. 
Dick Phillips knows. He can share all kinds of stories from his youth and about the success Aurora’s summer teams had statewide. 
Tom Kropp knows, too. Sure, maybe some of his accomplishments fade more into local legend than anything, but he was the rare four-sport athlete. 
Tom threw a no-hitter in the Nebraska Legion State Tournament and was the winning pitcher in the championship game. Tom knows ball. Aurora knows ball, too. 
None of that even gets into Aurora’s home for baseball, Mitchell Field. That’s a spitball for another day. 
The concern every time something like this comes up is the “watering down” of Aurora’s other sports. Yes, it’s a concern. But the addition of baseball to the lineup for the Huskies in base hits far outweigh the potential strikeouts. 
Baseball, track and field, soccer and golf will all become stronger sports because of the addition. 
Students with more options are able to choose the sport they’re most passionate about, instead of potentially settling for the next-best option. 
Student-athletes who want to do baseball are going to play that sport. Same for track, soccer and golf. Numbers may fluctuate slightly, but the success and support will not. 
The same concerns were addressed when Aurora added soccer in 2017. It’s easily argued track, golf and soccer have each thrived in their own ways since that time. 
The move will also strengthen and provide more opportunities for the Aurora Post 42 Legion teams. 
Coach Jeremy Burgener has done a terrific job with the program, given tough challenges over time, but made the most of the availability and definitely doesn’t get enough credit for what he’s done. Burgener is a huge supporter of Aurora athletics and of his players away from baseball. 
Aurora has a rich history within the sport of baseball and the addition of the sport to the school cannot be understated. It’s a walk-off grand slam. 
-- Richard Rhoden