It was the morning after Easter in 2019, and Tyson Herrera was heading home to Fort Collins, in a car driven by his younger sister Jasmine, when an eastbound semi collided with two semis stopped in the emergency lane, then crossed the median and struck their westbound vehicle and another semi on I-80 just east of Cheyenne. Jasmine was taken to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center for injuries sustained in the crash, but tragically, Tyson died at the scene.

Shockwaves shot through the Sidney community, particularly the baseball community. Sidney Legion Baseball said in a statement on that Monday night, “The Sidney Baseball community is heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of former player, Tyson Herrera. Tyson was a great player and epitomized the definition of hard work and playing for the love of the game.”

Over a year has passed since that fateful morning. Tyson’s number “24” has been permanently retired by the Sidney American Legion Post 17 baseball program. A scholarship fund was created to assist a Sidney High School graduate that needs assistance in continuing their education. And now this weekend, the inaugural Tyson Herrera Memorial Baseball Tournament will be played at Sidney’s Legion Field with the proceeds going to the Tyson Herrera Scholarship Fund.

Tyson’s father, Tim Herrera, tells News Channel Nebraska that when the scholarship was created, the goal was a $1000.00 per year for 10 years, or $10,000.00. However, through the compassion and generosity of the community, the scholarship fund after one year already has somewhere between $7000-$8000 in it.

Teams from Bridgeport, Buckley (2 teams, Black & Green), Hershland, Ogallala, Sterling CO, Thunderhawk CO and Sidney lined up to take part in the tournament to honor the former Sidney player.

The pool play tournament will begin with Pool A. (Bridgeport, Buckley Green, Ogallala and Sidney) playing on Friday, June 26^th. Pool B (Buckley Black, Hershland, Sterling and Thunderhawk) playing on Saturday. On Sunday, the 7^th place game (4^th place teams in each pool) will start at 8:00 a.m. followed by the 5^th place game (3^rd place teams in each pool) at 10:45 a.m. The 3^rd place game (2^nd place teams in each pool) will get underway at 1:30 p.m. and the first pitch of the championship game (winner of each pool) is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. Ties will be broken by which team allowed the fewer runs in pool play.

KSID and News Channel Nebraska will have coverage of the all the Sidney this weekend beginning Friday morning on 98.7 Sky-FM and on www.newschannelnebraska.com

If you would like to contribute to the Tyson Herrera Scholarship Fund, please mail your donation to:

Sidney Education Foundation
Tyson Herrera Scholarship
P.O. Box 627
Sidney, NE 69162