HASTINGS - Summer college baseball is back in central Nebraska.

The Hastings Sodbusters and Fremont Moo took the diamond at historic Duncan Field tonight for the season opener in the Expedition League. The season is different in the summer of the pandemic. Only six of the league’s 10 teams decided to play this year. With all the uncertainty, Sodbusters Co-Owner and General Manager Scott Galusha says he’s just excited to see the team play ball.

“Well it was a little emotional when we finally opened up the gates to see people come in. With everything going on in the world, we just weren’t sure.”

The Sodbusters have implemented some safety guidelines. They’re only selling half of their seats and designating the rest of the tickets as standing room only. There were hand sanitizing stations set up around the park and drinking fountains were shut off.

Galusha says he felt obligated to offer baseball in Hastings even with the added difficulties.

“But I couldn’t look myself in the mirror not knowing that I didn’t do everything I could to try to make this happen, not only for the community, but for all the kids that had already missed out on some baseball.”

The Sodbusters’ roster is loaded with local talent, including Husker Shay Schanaman and Creighton Bluejay Cole Evans. Hastings will play a 52 game schedule this summer.