Let the games begin
The Butler Youth Baseball League’s season ended recently, but for a select few, there are more games to be played.
A 12-player Little League all-star squad was chosen near the end of the regular season and will begin play in the District 25 Tournament when it meets host Clarion at 8 p.m. Saturday at Paul A. Weaver Community Park.
For teams that end up reaching the Little League World Series in Williamsport, this is the first step.
“We want the kids (ages 10-12) to play as hard as they can, pick each other up and see how far we can go,” said the team’s head coach, Walt Neubauer. “It’s one step, one inning, one out at a time and we just want to get to the next path.
“A few of our players have been to Williamsport to watch the World Series and all of them have seen it on TV, but I’m not sure it’s sunk in yet for them what this is all about.”
Eight teams will compete in the district tournament, which will follow a double-elimination format and is scheduled to conclude within two weeks. Saturday’s other first-round matchups include Franklin vs. Oil City, Titusville vs. Knox and New Bethlehem vs. Cranberry (Venango County).
The Butler/Clarion winner will face the New Bethlehem/Cranberry winner Monday at a site and time to be determined.
“Little League Baseball is very big on sportsmanship and we’ve talked about that with all the players,” Neubauer said.
The team that wins the district championship will advance to sectionals, beginning July 14.
Butler’s players were chosen after a pre-season evaluation was combined with their performance in games over the last two months.
“We know these kids well, have been watching them for years,” said Neubauer. “I’ve coached baseball for both all-star and in-house teams and they all have played for me at one time or another.
“It was pretty easy to pick the team. These kids are obviously the best players in our league. We have a good talent-base.”
Neubauer, who will be assisted by Aaron Vicari, said all 12 players can pitch if needed and added of the team’s ability at the plate and in the field: “They can bring it on any given day. We’re going to need all of them to show up, but have to remember that they’re just kids.”
