July 14, 2010

Watford to host State Senior Babe Ruth Baseball Tourney

By Tina Foreman
Farmer Staff Writer

It’s an exciting week for baseball fans in McKenzie County, as the North Dakota State Sr. Babe Ruth Tournament is coming to Watford City with four teams, including the Watford City Walleye, vying for a berth in the Babe Ruth World Series.
“This is a big deal and a great opportunity for Watford City,” says Pat Spacher, Watford City Walleye coach. “We’ve held tournaments here before, but never a state tournament.”
Teams participating in the three-day, double elimination tournament include Mandan, Dickinson, and Williston, as well as Watford City.
“This is going to be a fast-paced tournament with a lot of great baseball,” adds Spacher. “We are looking at eight or nine games over three days.”
Each team will play at least two games, with the tournament winner advancing to the next round in Wellington, Kansas.
“The team that wins in Kansas goes on to the Babe Ruth World Series,” comments Spacher. “The other teams are excited to come here. They are used to playing in bigger cities and they are looking forward to something different.”
Spacher is hopeful that this tournament will show Babe Ruth teams that Watford City is a great place to host a tournament, in hopes of landing future state tournaments here.
“There is a lot involved with hosting the tournament, but our Baseball Boosters have been wonderful,” says Spacher. “They have done a great job of getting the concessions in line and we will even be selling tournament T-shirts thanks to the boosters.”
Baseball games get underway on Wednesday, July 14, at 9 a.m., with the championship game being held on Friday.
 

WATFORD CITY WEATHER