MANITOWOC — Bruce Steinbecker was laughing as he watched the yellow softball hit by Eric Hoffman sail over the center field fence at Municipal Field on Friday.
Steinbecker’s Manitowoc Lincoln varsity baseball squad took on its junior varsity counterparts at the start of a soggy third annual Brady Johnson Memorial Baseball Blast. It was a long day of games for the Ships, who play in a handful of events from the intrasquad game, to a parents vs. players game to the popular faculty vs. students game.

Rains on Friday made the infield at Municipal Field unplayable, so the games were moved to the outfield grass. The gloomy weather didn’t dampen the spirits of those who came to the park.
“It’s really relaxing just fooling around with your teammates and with the younger guys,” said Lincoln senior Tyler Wetenkamp. “There’s a lot of stress playing during the week pretty much almost every day.
“To get a chance to just fool around like this, it’s kind of nice.”

The Brady Johnson Baseball Blast is a fundraiser and memorial for the Johnson family. On the field there are numerous games with the Ships baseball and softball teams, while there is a silent and oral auction, food and refreshments available along the concourse at the park.

The day was created as a way for people to remember Brady Johnson, the late son of Manitowoc Public School District Athletic Director John Johnson who passed away three years ago. The funds from the day’s events go toward the Brady Johnson Scholarship, which is given to a Lincoln senior student-athlete that most resembles Brady’s unassuming demeanor.
Despite playing baseball steady for the past few weeks, Steinbecker said his team still looks forward to this date as a way to get out and have fun.

“The talk starts Day 1 at practice about this day,” Steinbecker said. “Even the alumni guys ask about it. It’s a nice day to just relax and have fun out here. The guys get into it. Plus this year they have Saturday off, so they have a full weekend off for the first time in five weeks.”
Julie Spurney has helped organize the Baseball Blast over the past three years and said the day has transformed from a fun day of baseball into a community event. 

“This is turning into a tradition at this time of the year,” Spurney said. “People come on out and have a good time. It’s like, it’s almost summer, so it’s that time for the Brady Johnson Baseball Blast.”