The State Championships for Tar Heel Little League Baseball got underway tonight at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex and there were two common themes. It was hot and all the parking spaces were gone. Before we ever talk about who won the ball games, the big winner of the day was the Complex.
Lynn Driver, Athletic Director for the Complex, welcomed everyone at the opening ceremonies on the Rotary Field while 24 teams stood behind their teams signs in the outfield. Rocky Mount Mayor David Combs welcomed everyone to the city. The Tar Heel Little League Board of Directors was introduced as well as the umpires calling the games. Each team was announced to roars of approval from those who traveled far and wide to be in Rocky Mount this night.
Those youngsters who played on the National Senior Little League State Championship team last season saw the plaque on which their names are inscribed. It hangs on the fence as you enter the Little League end of the Complex. Driver reminded every team that losing the first game does not mean you can't win the tournament. Last year's National League winner lost its first game, then won six straight games in three days to win the title.
As the host of the tournament this year, Rocky Mount had an automatic qualifier in each age group. The Senior Little League National League, along with the Midgets Little League Nationals, had beaten the American League All-Stars last month and both got a free pass to the state tournament. They both lost tonight.
The senior 11/12-year old National League team who drew a tough draw in round 1 lost to North Raleigh 4-3. The National Midget team lost 8-3 to Williamston. Since neither of these teams had to go through the district tournament and both had played in many prep tournaments, being the host was no advantage tonight.
On the other hand, the American League Senior teams and Midget teams both won and advanced to the winner's bracket in the second round. Joe Bell's Seniors beat Hickory 11-7 and Jeremy Stewart's 9/10 year-old squad won 13-3 in four innings over Angier.
The winner's bracket plays again at 1 p.m. Friday afternoon, so the American Senior League plays on field No. 4, while the American Midgets play on field No. 5 also at 1 p.m. Their reward? They play in the heat of the day.
There is no reward yet for the National Senior League team coached by Sam Toler. It hits the loser's bracket at 3 p.m. and if it wins, it will play again at 5 p.m.
The same situation goes for Tim Killebrew's National League Midgets. They play a loser's bracket game at 3 p.m. and if they win, they play again at 5 p.m. - both games on field No. 6.
Let's throw the Coach Pitch 7/8 year old players into action. They start their tournament at 5.30 p.m on field No. 1.
Richard Sarmiento did two games tonight for WHIG-TV's Stretchlon Sports Show as he covered the Senior Rocky Mount teams and I covered the Midgets. I'll be behind the mic at the Rocky Mount Coach Pitch game Friday.
It's loads of fun and costs only $4. The Rocky Mount teams start play at 1 p.m.
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