Glacier Babe Ruth hosting state tourney

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

There will be a ton of Babe Ruth baseball action in town this week, and the local boys are early favorites to make some serious noise.

The Montana State Babe Ruth baseball tournament takes place July 16-20 in Whitefish and Columbia Falls, with about 20 teams from all across the state coming to participate.

"We have some tough competition in this area, especially from Kalispell, but it's going to be a lot of fun," Glacier Babe Ruth league president Ray Queen said.

Glacier's 14-15 year-old team won the district tournament in Kalispell this past weekend by beating Mission Valley 3-1.

"They all contributed throughout the tournament," head coach Kurt Blades said. "They're playing extremely well."

The 14-15 year-old started against Havre on Wednesday at 4 p.m. in Columbia Falls. They also play at 1 p.m. and at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday (today).

Blades said he doesn't quite know what to expect from some of the teams around the state.

"I haven't seen a lot of the teams that are coming, so it's hard to guess," he said. "But in the Helena tournament, three of the top-four teams were in our own district — including ourselves."

Blades said his defense steps up when they need to, but he knows his kids can bring out the bats when they need to.

"They're playing well, and I'm excited for them," Blades said. "They are excited. They're pulling together and getting more cohesive at the right time. It's a great bunch of kids, and they're good ball players."

Glacier's 13-year-olds took second place at the district tournament, losing to Kalispell after getting within one run in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Games will be played at Smith Fields in Whitefish and the Sapa-Johnsrud fields in Columbia Falls (on Talbott Road near the Veterans Home) beginning at 11 a.m. each day.

Although games were played on Wednesday, the opening ceremonies will be on July 17 (tonight) at 6 p.m. at Sapa-Johnsrud Fields, with skydivers, a color guard and singers.

Glacier Babe Ruth League is a non-profit organization. For more information, contact Queen at 253-0857.

13 Prep Schedule

Wednesday

1:00 p.m. WF 1

Glacier vs. North Bitterroot

1:00 p.m. CF

Kalispell vs. Mission

6:00 p.m. CF

Glacier vs. Helena

6:00 p.m. WF 1

Kalispell vs. Bozeman

Thursday

10:30 a.m. WF 1

North Bitterroot vs. Helena

10:30 a.m. WF 2

Mission vs. Bozeman

14-15 Babe Ruth Schedule

Wednesday

3:30 p.m. CF

Kalispell vs. Lewistown

8:30 p.m. WF

Glacier vs. Helena

Thursday

8:00 a.m. WF 2

Kalispell vs. So. Mountain

6:00 p.m.

BBQ and Opening Ceremonies

8:00 p.m. CF

Glacier vs. Havre