Brushback

crash

Jared Dirks of Rowan crashes into a tire along turn two at the I-35 Speedway in Mason City on Sunday.

Bunt

Rockford junior Allie Abell puts down a bunt in Monday’s game against Woden-Crystal Lake in Mason City.

A ride through the country

Well this was just an awesome morning assignment. Very peaceful.

Cyclists ride past a corn field and a windmill along Balsam Avenue in rural Ventura on Sunday during the United States Cycling Federation-sanctioned road race, which was part of the weekend’s Bicycle, Blues and BBQ festival in Clear Lake.

Post-season softball

The high school summer sports season is winding down in Iowa, which means the chase for state titles is under way. For me the 2009 Iowa softball post season began in Belmond, as Belmond-Klemme advanced with a 4-0 win over West Fork.

Belmond-Klemme junior catcher Dana Christensen, left, slips the tag attempt of West Fork senior shortstop Alanna Bamrick as she reaches second base in Friday’s game at Belmond.

West Fork junior pitcher Kayrene Stadtlander throws in Friday’s regional semifinal game against Belmond-Klemme at Belmond.

Fundamentals

The St. Ansgar baseball team took over the No. 1 rank this week.

Saint Ansgar second baseman Michael Saaranen stops a ground ball in a game against Mason City Newman earlier this season at Saint Ansgar High School.

rough road

But at least he’s not on fire.

Matt Eberline of Bristow walks away from his car after a wreck during the 360 modified feature race on Sunday at the I-35 Speedway in Mason City.

Just one of those days

Mason City split a double-header with Fort Dodge on Monday, but had one of those days where everything unravels in one inning. In the first game the score was tied at four when the Dodgers blasted hit after hit after hit en route to a 10-run inning and a 14-4 win.

Mason City sophomore Jake Peter gets the ball kicked out of his hand by Fort Dodge senior Eddy Diosdado during a throwdown between second and third base in Monday’s game. Diosdado was ruled safe at second.

On fire

Really though, what’s the definition of sanity?

A stunt man who goes by the name of Rocky Hardcore emerges from a burning car in front of a crowd at the I-35 Speedway in Mason City on Sunday.

At-large dogs

Imagine walking your three-pound dog when a massive rottweiler comes charging at you. Do you a) scream and run; b) play dead; or c) fight the dog with all your might in order to save your pet.

For Virginia Young of Rockford, the answer was C. Her Papillon sustained eight critical bite wounds, but survived the attack. Young managed to fight the dog off to the best of her abilities until a neighbor stopped to help.

Virginia Young of Rockford holds Lilly, a 7-year-old Papillon dog, at her home on Wednesday. Lilly survived an attack from an at-large rottweiler in Rockford. The community has had issues with at-large dogs.