Play ball (finally)!

RHINELANDER, Wis. — The Hurley Midgettes may have lost 2-1 to Rhinelander Friday, but they beat every other local team: They played a game outside.

Even if it took until April 26 and an 80-mile drive to the southeast where the snowpack is nearly gone.

Hurley plans on playing again today, three games in a tournament at Gilman, which is roughly between Tony and Thorp and is the site of the Midgettes’ 2010 sectional championship victory over Thorp.

“We didn’t really play all that bad for not coming on the field yet,” Hurley manager Jim Kivisto said.

“It’s 10 times better to be on a field to play,...