Cashion dedicates new baseball field

The late Lance Beutler and his family were honored last Monday when Cashion High School’s new baseball field was dedicated to the former Wildcat. Lance Beutler Field is the new home of Wildcat baseball after the ceremony that also recognized players of the program’s past as well as those who took part in the facility’s construction. Beutler was just 13 when he was killed in a car accident in 2006. His parents - Jeff and Patricia Beutler - along with several other family members were on hand for Monday’s dedication. Above left, Cashion Athletic Director and football coach Lynn Shackelford is pictured hugging Jeff Beutler during the dedication. Cashion school officials also recognized employees of Joe D. Hall, the firm that served as the construction manager for the project, and Renaissance Architects. Also recognized were Cashion baseball players who earned All-State. Pictured above right, they included, from left: Brent Maroney (1986), Brock Maroney (1992), Jeremy Seaton (2011) and Jim Sowards (1963). The quartet threw out the first pitch prior to the Wildcats taking on Dale. (Chris Maxon, All-State in 1990, was also recognized, but not present). The new facility sits just west of the former field. It features turf on the infield as well as new dugouts, press box, coaches’ offices and more. Although Cashion lost Monday to Dale, the Wildcats took care of business Thursday in their 2A bi-district. They swept Pawhuska 9-1 and 11-1 and advanced to this week’s regional. Cashion will host the regional, which begins Thursday (other teams and times to be determined). [Photos by Brad Stone/www.bestone.shootproof.com]