It seemed unlikely, to me, that a summer collegiate baseball team would succeed here. I also doubted amateur football would draw. Glad I didn’t take bets.

The Stingers are succeeding because there are a lot of folks out there looking to get out of the house on a summer evening to see quality outdoor entertainment (I thought everyone would be at the lake). And Stingers’ management had a plan. They knew exactly how to present the product and follow through with an expert delivery.

Now amateur football (it’s not semi-pro unless someone is handing the players a paycheck which to my knowledge no one has) is making a go of it here. Player/co-owner Steve Peppin reports the following paid attendance for the Broncos’ four home games to date: 341 for season opener at Hodapp, 269 (New London), 346 (Willmar Fest) and 402 at Pederson Field again last Saturday.

Those numbers would be impressive with free admission but more so with gate prices of $8 for adults, $5 for students.

The Broncos offense ignited when defensive back Ben Sletta took over at quarterback from Peppin, whose true position is tight end. Sletta, a 2006 New London-Spicer graduate, was converted from tailback to quarterback his final year of high school.

The running game and solid defense are responsible for a three-game win streak that brings the Broncos’ record to 4-4.

KMS grad Joel Bauman leads the league in rushing with 963 yards and former Ridgewater Warrior Tarrell McDuffie is third with 454 yards. Defensive end Erick Johnson is tied for first in the Midwest Premier League with 13 sacks.

The team is back at New London at 6 p.m. Saturday to play the Twin City Silverbacks, an “extra game” not on the original schedule. The playoffs begin July 13 (6 p.m. at New London) against the 4-4 Midwest Nightmare (Spring Lake Park).

Peppin, who came here to attend college and stayed to open a barbershop, said community support has been a key to launching this second-chance for young men to play the game: “I’m extremely proud of what this team has become. It truly shows that with vision, hard work and dedication that dreams can come true.”