– The Quincy Gems will not be participating next season.
– Owners, Jimmie and Julie Louthans, are prioritizing their family time.
– Financial challenges in offering affordable seasonal entertainment also factored into the decision.
A Swing and a Miss for The Quincy Gems
The Louthans, patriarch and matriarch of the beloved collegiate summer baseball team The Quincy Gems, have chosen to keep bat and glove on the shelf for the forthcoming season. This surprising turn of events, revealed on Tuesday, fractures sporting hearts across Missouri and beyond.
The Family Card
Undeniably, baseball is a sport where family traditions are sown, and family ties celebrated. In an ironic twist, it’s precisely that – family – compelling Jimmie and Julie Louthan to hang up the Gems’ spikes. The couple expressed their intent to reclaim the time they’ve so frequently sacrificed for the love of the game, funnelling those hours back into their family unit.
The Financial Factor
Money – it’s a game changer in sport, as it is in life. The Louthans cited financial constraints as another crucial player in their decision. They faced a pitcher’s duel in scoring enough revenue to balance the books while maintaining affordable prices for their summer entertainment package. Unfortunately, that’s a slider they could no longer dodge.
The Breezy Take
It’s a home run of a bittersweet tale for Missouri’s baseball lovers: The Quincy Gems bowing out of the next season. While we feel their absence in the dugout, we respect the Louthans’ pivot from the diamond to their family room. Not to mention their dedication in trying to provide affordable entertainment in a tough ballpark. Here’s hoping they find success in their redefined scorecard, and the Gems may hit the field again in future innings.
Original article: https://news.stlpublicradio.org/sports/2023-08-30/quincy-is-losing-its-summer-collegiate-baseball-team