Don’t ask Brett Lisher what he did this summer. Not unless you have nothing to do for the next hour or so.

Lisher has been riding a whirlwind ever since he graduated from Free State High in May, and this week may be the most tornadic.

“It’s going to be pretty stressful,” Lisher said, “but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Lisher and the rest of the Lawrence Raiders have qualified for the American Legion World Series in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. But before Lisher steps on the field Friday against a team from Milton, Mass., he and teammate Travis Ice will have covered more ground than an over-the-road trucker.

And all because Lisher and Ice had to report for the first day of classes today at Allen County Community College. Both signed baseball tenders with the Iola school.

“Apparently, we’d be in trouble if we didn’t fill out the paperwork and show up for classes and meet our teachers,” Lisher said.

In order to comply with the two-year school’s standards, Lisher and Ice – along with Ice’s dad Mark and Raiders’ aide Tim Hill – left the regional site in Aberdeen, S.D., by car soon after the Raiders clinched a national berth Monday night for an all-night, nine-hour drive to Lawrence.

“I actually drove a little bit,” Lisher said, “which was a little scary because I was pretty tired.”

After grabbing some more zzzz’s Tuesday morning, the two Raiders made the hour-and-a-half journey to Iola in the afternoon, moved into a dorm – they’ll be roommates – and were scheduled to be in class at 8 a.m. today.

After returning to Lawrence late this afternoon and sleeping in their own beds tonight, Lisher and Ice will be piling into a car again Thursday morning for the six-hour drive to Cedar Rapids. They must be there by 4 p.m. for the mandatory pre-World Series banquet.

Whew.

It’s been that kind of summer for Lisher, who a couple of weeks ago made a long drive from Pittsburg to Salina in order to join the Raiders at the State Legion tournament after participating in the Kansas Shrine Bowl, where he was the game’s leading receiver with six catches for 91 yards.

Earlier, Lisher had participated in the Kansas City Metro All-Star football game as well as two all-star baseball games. He and several of his Raiders’ teammates were also members of Free State High’s Class 6A state baseball championship team.

“He’s had a heckuva summer,” said Lisher’s father Bob, Free State High’s football coach. “This summer has been pretty special.”

Obviously, it’s been pretty special for Bob Lisher, too. Or at least it was until he was unable to watch his son play in Aberdeen – Brett led the Raiders in hitting with a .409 average – because of the Firebirds’ preseason football practice.

For the same reason, the elder Lisher won’t be able to go to Cedar Rapids, either.

“I hate it,” Brett’s dad said. “I absolutely hate it. It’s very frustrating.”

Still, the door isn’t completely shut.

“If they play on Sunday,” Lisher said, “I might be able to run up and run back.”

The Raiders are assured of playing Friday and Saturday in the double-elimination tournament.