The Midvalley Misfits took the field Tuesday evening at the old fairgrounds diamond, where the infield dirt still remembers horse shows and 4-H auctions. Thirty-two players stretched along the first-base line, tapping cleats against ground that was alfalfa three summers ago.

League commissioner Marnie Doughty, 406-555-0192, handed out neon-yellow shirts and reminded everyone that the mercy rule triggers at fifteen runs. “We had a team score twenty-two last year before the third inning,” she said. “Nobody’s here for that.”

The Misfits’ roster includes a physical therapist, a charter pilot, a barista who pulls shots at the Co-op, and a third-generation rancher who still measures fence in rods. Their shortstop, Kyle Vannoy, moved from Missoula in 2019 and considers himself a local. His roommate, Davey Crockett, moved from Boise in 2021 and considers Kyle a transplant.

“The line holds when the keg’s on the line,” Vannoy said, adjusting his headband. “Otherwise it’s just kickball.”

First pitch came at 6:12 p.m. The sun sat low behind the Bridgers. A diesel truck rolled past on Oak Street, exhaust curling into the outfield grass. The Misfits won 11-9. Nobody mentioned the rent.

Standings go up at the Co-op bulletin board Friday.