Alex Eisen/MDN Minot Vistas shortstop Logan Merck fields the ball in an American Legion baseball game played last season at Corbett Field in Minot.

A cloud of uncertainty loomed over the North Dakota high school sports scene for nearly two months. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the NDHSAA to cancel winter activities and spring sports on May 1, leaving Minot Vistas head coach Pat Arnston and his peers to face a critical question.

What would happen during the summer?

That cloud lifted on May 21, the day the Vistas released their official schedule under the Babe Ruth system. For Arnston and the players, the chance to return to action resembles a breath of fresh air.

“It’s a relief,” Arnston said. “It feels like normal, but we weren’t sure if we were going to get this normal again this summer. It’s been awesome.”

Last season, the Vistas made the state tournament before losing to Grand Forks in a loser-out contest. The 16-8 loss, in conjunction with the spring sports cancellation, caused the Vistas to crave another season at Corbett Field.

“I know the guys have been waiting for this,” Arnston said. “Certainly, I was too — getting that freedom to go run around and get after it again. I think we have a group that just enjoys their time at the park. They’re excited to get to work on their craft again, especially in a season that appeared like it wasn’t going to happen. Here we are.”

The group features a mix of Minot High School and Bishop Ryan talent. Derek Nygaard, Aydan Almy and Dylan Buchanan will provide experienced arms on the mound.

“This season will be special for me because I get to be the older guy this year instead of the underclassman looking up,” Nygaard said.

Arnston expects Buchanan to pitch more this season after spending significant time at shortstop last year.

“We have a really interchangeable group this year that I’m pretty excited to see once we get meshed together and guys find their roles,” Arnston said. “I think we’re going to have contributions from everybody on our roster. Depending how well that goes, that will determine how challenging our schedule is.”

Infielder Logan Merck and pitcher Calvin Watkins took the field for the Vistas last season. After keeping the Ryan battery with Watkins alive at Mayville State University, fellow Lion Kersey Harris joins the team this summer.

“It feels absolutely amazing to be back on the field doing what we all love,” Merck said. “I’m a little rusty, I’d say, but the first couple days of practice have been so fun to get back out there.”

Jack Plemel, Dylan Vigested, Chase Burke, Trent Greek, Tyler Harbort, Talon Hebert, Braedon McCarty, Eli Nissen, Hunter Ruzicka, Morgan Nygaard and Caleb Reing bring additional depth to the team. The balanced cast will meet formidable foes this summer.

“Even if you just start based on numbers, we’re typically behind some of the larger communities,” Arnston said. “It’s always been fun to try to keep up with the Fargos, the West Fargos, the Bismarcks, stuff like that.”

The Vistas’ roster typically showcases a majority of Magicians, but Arnston noted Minot High’s split between the Central Campus and the Magic City Campus. Although Minot players can be separated during the school year, summer baseball brings the Magicians together.

“With how big their classes are, they’re not always that close,” Arnston said. “They might play baseball together, but they don’t really know each other that well. Normally, we like to do a big tournament early in the summer so we can get them on the road and try to get them comfortable with each other. We certainly learn a lot about the guys.”

Because the Vistas travel to road games in vans, one-to-one communication becomes prevalent.

“We’re forced to interact with each other a little bit more,” Arnston said. “I’ve enjoyed that because I feel like I’ve been able to learn a lot more about my guys. They can get a little bit more comfortable. When you’re a coach and demanding them to put forth a certain effort, they at least know you a little bit more as a person than just some guy yelling at them all the time.”

Indeed, challenges lie ahead. However, the players’ time off brought clarity to the situation at hand.

“We have work to do and progress to make,” Merck said. “Once we get into the groove of things, I think we have a ton of players who can do a ton of things that will help us win games. That’s what we want to do.”

The Vistas begin their season with two counters. They will head to Williston for a 5:30 p.m. game on Friday before welcoming West Fargo for their home opener at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

“It will be exciting to see some of the young kids get their chance,” Derek Nygaard said. “Hopefully, we can make a deep run in the state tournament.”

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.