What a way to end Christmas break. We made good on a bucket list goal that we set 3 years ago to ice fish Otter Tail County. Now, it’s time for him to continue being laser focused on school & baseball as he makes the push toward early March and his first spring season at M State.

Our Rapid Valley VFD business meeting had been over for an hour when I took this video. One guy reading an article on size-up, while another scrolled forcible entry videos while others were getting reps in on the door prop. All at 9:15 in the evening. Culture.

M-State boys pull off a nail biter down in Florida as they won 8-7 vs SUNY Adirondack!! MState will back in action tomorrow!

We had a good week in Florida watching CJB compete in his first college baseball games. Proud of him. . . #JuCoBaseball #MStateSpartans #RussMattBaseball

Three fires for The Reservoir Dogs yesterday with this one, the South Rockerville Fire, being the biggest. Fire Year 2025 is off to a rockin’ start.

When the boys have their certification test tomorrow but you don’t have many places for them to practice, you make sacrifices.

Easter Sunday reps with the boys.

I don’t know that we could have asked for much more for CJB and his freshman season of M State Baseball⚔. Now, it’s time for him to get stronger, faster, and better. My sincere thanks to Grant Harding, Coach Dillingham and his teammates. We’ll see you in the fall.

Kobes, Tjaden and I outside the Rapid Valley VFD station watching the clouds with the young fellas. We’re telling them about the good old days when Scott Stearns would hold court and educate us. #sdwx

This summer has been mostly about adjusting his hands and finding more barrels for CJB. He’s coming along.

Full house tonight for training at the Rapid Valley Fire Department. We talked about outside-in fires. Took lots of good notes from Chief Sharpes presentation in Alexandria, VA last fall and shared them with the group. We see a lot of those type of fires around the 4th.

Looking for any 2025s still on the market. Dm me and we can make you a college baseball player. Transfers welcome too.Prep Baseball Uncommitted

Tough work in the peak heat of the day for CJB today. Couple of buckets in the cage and a couple of buckets at first. He’s back on that grind after a couple of weeks off to rest and heal up. He looked good. And I’m still a sniper with the fungo.

Mobile wildland attack training last night with the Rapid Valley VFD. It was well attended with tons of energy and enthusiasm. It’s a great time to be a Rapid Valley Firefighter. Pennington County Fire

Buster is looking forward to playing his Sophomore season for Grant Harding and Ethan Dillingham at M State Baseball⚔ while looking to the future.

Last call on 2025 uncommitted players still needing a home. We need arms and will take on position players too. Prep Baseball Uncommitted

On the way to take Buster back to school, we stopped in Tea for some cage work with Coach Jake at Grind Athletics. It’s an awesome facility! Maybecarsonb M State Baseball⚔

Tower reps with the fellas yesterday and live fire at the airport today. We’ve definitely had a couple good days of training on this 48 hour shift.

Nice days where we can park the rigs outside and wash and detail them in the sunshine are probably numbered. We’ll take ‘em when we can get ‘em.

Got to go down and catch Buster doing Buster things over the weekend. Love watching that kid play.