Sandy hosts Cal Ripken state tourney

YOUTH BASEBALL – The six-team tournament will be played at Kelso Elementary

By David Ball

The Sandy Post, Jul 22, 2010

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Sandy sent out the invitations, but few teams returned an RSVP for this weekend’s state tournament held on the fields at Kelso Elementary School.

“It’s tough for all of us,” Sandy’s Chris Hutchings said. “I’ve spent a lot of time talking to people in other districts and everyone is feeling the pinch of this economy. We’re crimping and saving just to put on the tournament.”

State usually attracts up to a dozen teams playing Cal Ripken ball in the area, but this season only three cities will have teams in the tournament – Sandy, Lower Columbia and West Linn.

League officials have decided to combine the 11U and 12U brackets into one tournament with the top finisher in each age group qualifying for Regionals. Dallas, Newberg and Central Oregon all failed to field teams in those age groups.

“It’s always fun to have a bunch of teams come in to compete for a state title, but we’re still excited to be hosting – it’s a big honor,” Hutchings said.

Pool play will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 24 (see box) followed by bracket play Sunday with the championship game set for 5 p.m. Admission is free.

The top 11U team advances to play at Regionals in Eugene at the end of the month, while the 12U winner moves on to play in Kelso, Wash.