No Dooley Oil Classic for the Laramie Rangers

What is normally a fixture in the summertime at Cowboy Field, the Dooley Oil Classic for the Laramie Rangers will not take place in 2021.

The Dooley Oil Classic started in 2008 and until last year had been on the Rangers’ schedule every year since. Last year was canceled due to the virus. This year’s cancellation came about due to a few factors.

Laramie manager Aaron Lozano said they had a small field to begin with, but then some teams backed out and opted to go to different events. The Rangers skipper tried to salvage it, but that failed, as well.

Lozano admitted it’s frustrating not having their signature event.

“It gives me an opportunity to thank one of our big sponsors, the Dooley’s, and they’ve agreed to shift that sponsorship to our prep team’s tournament, the ‘C’ tournament, so there will be a Dooley tournament this year, it just won’t be at the varsity level. We’re really grateful for them for sticking in there with us for a couple of years and really being a company that really does a lot for youth sports in Laramie. They do a lot for our community, so we’re really grateful for them. I’m already working on getting a really good field for them, next year; already been in talks with teams from out of state; hopefully, we can make that happen.”

Now with some time off, Lozano has parts of the game he feels need work.

“There are some things that I’ve seen on the base paths that I’ve not been happy with, and I can’t think of a better guy to come in and help us out with some of that stuff than Curt Moore, former coach, and base-running genius. Yes, I’m trying to butter him up with these comments. That’s some of it. Some of its healing guys. We haven’t had Ben Ruckman for a few weeks now. I’d like to get him healthy and back on the field, hopefully. For all of our pitchers, we’ve kind of gone through a gauntlet, (we can) get a little bit of rest on the arms.”

Lozano has a small concern that their bats, which have been hot, might cool off, but they’ll get a pair of games in next Tuesday before two more conference games next Thursday.

With Laramie’s record at 21-10 after the first two months, Lozano is also excited about this team.

“We’ve started to nitpick some things, and we’ve told the guys that’s a good sign. When we’re not harping you all the time about basic fundamentals, and now we’re nitpicking, that’s a good thing. That means you’re doing a lot of good things right, and, hopefully, we just keep the energy and the attitudes positive, and roll into next week ready to play.”

The Rangers will host the Casper Oilers on Tuesday, June 15, at Cowboy Field for a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. After a day off, Laramie will play Sheridan in a conference twin bill at Cowboy Field on Thursday, June 17, also at 3 p.m. There will be no radio coverage of next week’s games.