Summers in Jefferson City were missing something. Sure, the Lake of the Ozarks is nearby and there are plenty of events downtown and at the fairgrounds, but there was a void for sports fans in town.
That void may be starting to fill up thanks to the MINK League adding the Renegades this year. Jefferson City already has high school baseball in the summer with the American Legion Post 5 team. Now we have the college level to enjoy.
Let me start by explaining what the MINK League is because your initial thought may be, what is that?
It's an eight-team baseball league with seven teams in Missouri and one in Iowa. There have been teams in Nebraska and Kansas in the past, but Missouri seems to be taking over.
The league is designed to allow college players to work on their game and for some, show off their skills to major league scouts.
It's fairly common for MINK League players to get drafted and leave the club before the summer is over. That just shows the quality of play Jefferson City baseball fans should expect when the season starts this week.
The Renegades begin their season Wednesday at Sedalia to play the defending league champion Bombers with the home opener set for Friday night at Vivion Field.
The Bombers and St. Joseph Mustangs are consistently two of the top teams in the league.
The Renegades are coming into town at the right time with baseball becoming a hot topic. Blair Oaks and Helias tried playing a tripleheader to win a district championship earlier this month. The Crusaders prevailed in 16 innings and made it to the quarterfinals.
Vivion Field has had plenty of action with the Jefferson City Jays hosting the district tournament, a sectional game and a quarterfinal contest.
The Jays will step aside and let the Renegades use Vivion on Friday while they play at Car Shield Field in O'Fallon for the Class 5 Final Four.
Baseball fans will be split Friday - some in O'Fallon and the rest at the Renegades' home opener - but Saturday can be a travel doubleheader by watching the Jays either in the morning or afternoon and driving back to Vivion for the Renegades that night.
What a nice transition from spring to summer - watch a possible state champion baseball team then get ready for two months of college ball.
One Renegades player who won't be available is Grant Wood, who'll be busy playing in O'Fallon for the Jays.
He's one of eight Renegades who have played at either Jefferson City, Helias or Blair Oaks. It's a local-heavy team, which will help attendance and maybe as a result keep the team going for a while. Let's hope.
The Renegades will have 25 home games and three a relatively short drive away in Sedalia. In need of a baseball fix? The Renegades will be at Vivion to help fill the gap for baseball fans until spring returns.