State lineup
Here are the 10 district winners who will compete in the Ohio Little League baseball tournament for 12-year-olds starting Saturday at the West Side Little League complex in Hamilton:
Jefferson (District 1), Boardman (District 2), Tallmadge (District 3), Dover (District 4), Mount Vernon (District 5), Clyde (District 7), Washington Court House (District 8), Hamilton West Side (District 9), Kenton (District 10), Wheelersburg (District 11)
A blistering romp through the District 9 Little League baseball tournament has brought the West Side All-Stars right back to their home park.
West Side will host the 12-year-old state tournament starting Saturday, with the winner earning a trip to Indianapolis for the Great Lakes Regional.
“We’re feeling really good going into this,” West Side manager Steve Schlager said. “The kids are playing hard. They’re having a lot of fun. We’re looking forward to hosting the tournament and having a lot of people at West Side every day.”
The locals flattened the district competition by a 107-1 margin in five contests, but they figure to be tested right away in the state event. Highly regarded Tallmadge will be their first opponent Saturday at noon.
Malik Brown is West Side’s pitching ace. Asked who will start Saturday’s game, Schlager said it will be either Brown, Seth Klaiber, Dylan Young or Eric Roberts. Young is the lone southpaw.
“I’ve never coached in one of these Little League state tournaments, but when I talk to people who have been in it, they tell us it’s not a favorable draw,” Schlager said. “We’re going to focus on the three things we can control. We want the kids to play hard, don’t back down and stay positive. Those are my expectations.”
Boardman won the 11-year-old state title last year, and Tallmadge was the runner-up. Schlager said his team is jelling and ready to make its mark in this age group.
“The expectations with this group haven’t been as high as other teams at West Side,” Schlager said. “I think that has really made this group of kids hungry. They want to show people they can play. They want to do West Side Little League proud.”
He likes the way his players have followed his instructions and tried to make adjustments. West Side has lost four times this summer, three times to South Lexington (Ky.) and once to New Albany (Ind.) before the district tournament began.
“At 12 years old, I think it’s about the effort to make an adjustment,” Schlager said. “I can honestly say the kids are grasping what I’m asking. I’m proud of them for that. My biggest concern is that we haven’t been in a tight game in a week.”
There is no charge for fans to attend the state tournament. West Side President Steve Monnin said the only restrictions are that fans can’t bring coolers or noisemakers into the park.
West Side will be holding a dinner for the teams and their fans at 7 p.m. Saturday at Badin High School’s Pfirman Family Activity Center. The players and coaches will eat free. For everyone else, the cost is $8.
Walt’s Barbecue is catering the event, which will include desserts and drinks from Brown’s Market, Richards Pizza, Hyde’s Restaurant and Jolly’s Drive-In. Former Hamilton High School standout Curtus Moak and former West Side manager Ray Nichting will be the featured speakers at the dinner.
Nichting will be inducted into the West Side Little League Hall of Fame and throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the opening game. At Saturday’s dinner, George and Rhonda Schmidt, Jeff and Ellen Pohlman, and Dave and Sherry Schirmer will become members of the Hall of Fame.
The Great Lakes Regional is scheduled for Aug. 3-10 at the Reuben F. Glick Little League Center in Indy. The Little League World Series will be held Aug. 16-26 in Williamsport, Pa.
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