The 35th Annual Bell Tower Festival in Jefferson begins later today with a variety of activities, mainly around the courthouse square, but Greene County baseball and softball players will be either late or absent, for good reason. The Rams host the North Polk (Alleman) teams tonight in Heart of Iowa Activities Conference games.

The varsity softball contest can be heard on KG98 with coverage beginning around 7:15 p.m. Coach Tom Kennedy’s Rams have won seven of their last eight games and are 9-4 overall. Greene County is 7-1 in the conference and alone in second place. NP is 3-10 overall in softball and 3-5 in league play.

The NP baseball team was the Class 2A state tournament runner-up in 2013 and the Comets are currently ranked second in 2A. They lead the Heart of Iowa at 6-0 and are 9-3 overall. Coach Mark Sawhill’s Rams have lost their last three games and are 3-6 overall and 3-5 in the HOIAC.