THE FRONT ROW WITH JASON ELLIOTT: Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Ten years is a long time to wait for a state tournament to come back to town.

Just imagine if the high school state volleyball, soccer or softball tournaments didn't come to Kootenai County every other year like they currently do.

For the Coeur d'Alene Lumbermen, who hadn't had the chance to host the class AA state tournament since 2005, they have their chance again all this week.

A LOT of different things have happened since the last time Coeur d'Alene has hosted state in legion baseball.

Lloyd Duman, who was part of 10 straight trips to state by the Lums - the last eight as head coach - has long since retired from coaching to pursue a PhD in leadership and change from Antioch University in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

During his time as coach, Duman, also an English instructor at North Idaho College, went 276-160 for the Lumbermen and led the team to third-place finishes at state in 2006, '07 and '08, and a fourth-place showing in 2010.

He was replaced by Zach Clanton, who played for Duman at one time, and who won his 50th career game on Friday when the Lumbermen rallied to beat Northern Lakes 7-6 in a loser-out game in the Area A tournament at Thorco Field.

The team will have played 486 games since its last as the host program of state until Tuesday's opener against the Meridian Rangers at Thorco Field.

THE HOME of the Coeur d'Alene American Legion program at McEuen Field since 1965, the program moved from the field after the 2012 season for Thorco Field on Ramsey Road in a corner of Ramsey Park, near the Kroc Center.

McEuen might be helpful for those teams cooling off from the weather this week with its beach access and water park, but when it comes to baseball, the best place to be will be right at Thorco Field.

Eight of the top teams from around the state, including the Lewis-Clark Twins - who won the Area A title last week at Thorco - and the Twin Falls Cowboys, who qualified for a 13th straight year are among those teams fighting for a championship.

Then there's the host Coeur d'Alene Lumbermen, who started the season 17-1 before entering state with a 30-20 record. If anyone should feel at home this week, it's them.

At home this season, the Lumbermen are 17-8 so far, but none of that matters anymore.

Home or away, all that matters is who is playing at their best and can maintain it for the next four to five days.

IF LAST week's Area A (district) tournament is any indication of how this week could turn out, be prepared to be entertained, if you go.

On the first two days of the tournament, three of the first four games ended on walk-off hits, with a No. 4 seed taking the top two seeds right down to the wire.

The first game of this year's tournament between the Lewis-Clark Twins - who beat the Lums for the Area A (district) title, and the Nampa Chiefs - the third-place team from Area B (Boise area) - ended with the Twins beating the Chiefs 2-1 to advance.

Games continue today from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Thorco Field.

If it's another 10 years before the next time the state tournament comes through this area, and you're a casual baseball fan, you might want to find your way down this week for a few innings.

It will be well worth the time.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him at JEPressSports.