Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >> Mark Mulligan / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Bainbridge All-Star Spencer Hogger sneaks a base hit through the gap during his team's game against the West Seattle All-Stars at the state Little League tournament in Mill Creek on Friday. (click to enlarge) The West Seattle All-Stars' bats are ready for batters. Mark Mulligan/The Herald  (click to enlarge) West Seattle All-Stars pitcher Owen Vickrey pitches in the team's Friday afternoon contest versus the Bainbridge All Stars at the State Little League Majors Tournament in Mill Creek. $PHOTOCREDIT_ON$$PHOTOCREDIT_OFF$   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, July 19, 2008 Baseball fever hits Mill Creek State's top Little Leaguers play for regional berth By Scott Pesznecker Herald Writer MILL CREEK -- Brett Green, 12, has watched the Little League World Series on television since his hometown team competed there in 2001. This year, the Bainbridge Island boy is among the scores of young athletes hoping to be there. At Freedom Field, 13 teams are competing in the 2008 Washington state 12-year-old All-Star Little League Tournament. It's the first time the tournament has been played in Mill Creek. The team that wins the 10-day state tournament will compete at a regional competition in California. The winning team there will move on to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. "It's very exciting. It's really terrific," said Brett's father, Jason Green, 54. "It's taken over our lives for the summer, and that's OK." Opening ceremonies are planned for 8:30 a.m. today with music from the Jackson High School band. The tournament's traditional Parade of Champions, in which players from all teams take the field for a flag ceremony, is set for 9:30 a.m. "It's great; this is what it's all about," tournament director Tom Davis said. "I give my time, and all the volunteers give their time, to make this happen." Although the official opening ceremonies are today, the bats started swinging Friday night with a match-up between Bainbridge Island and West Seattle. Excited parents and spectators packed the bleachers, and others set up lawn chairs along the first- and third-base lines. In the dugouts, players ignored the benches, instead standing up to cheer on their teammates. The action picked up immediately. With the bases loaded -- two players were walked and another smacked a double to center -- a Bainbridge Island player hit a ground-ball triple to right field, driving in three runs. Facing an early deficit, West Seattle sent its relief pitcher, Owen Vickrey, into the game. The wiry 12-year-old with shoulder-length blond hair notched three quick outs. "It's thrilling; he's very happy to be here," Owen's mother, Margaret Vickrey, said. "It's one of those once-in-a-lifetime things." Sam Brown and Cole Grant, both 14, watched the game from bleachers near third base. Not too long ago, they were playing in the state tournament for Mill Creek Little League. "It was probably the best time," said Sam, whose team won the state championship in Port Orchard when he was 10. "When I think of my early years, I think of playing baseball." Cole's team finished second in the state tournament in Chehalis when he was 11. He remembers the fanfare around the game and the number of people who traveled to watch his team play. "It's a fun place to be," Cole said. "A lot of exciting things happen here." Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.

1. Fireworks blamed in house fires; three people injured 2. Mill Creek lawyer pursuing lawsuit for island nation 3. Everett may have to lobby for Lincoln's replacement 4. Mortgage relief slow in coming for strapped homeowners 5. Fireworks blamed in Marysville house fire 6. Fourth proves a day for colors 7. Landlords should read up before they rent out 8. Marysville postpones remodel of high school 9. Officials in fever to keep Boeing 10. Credit card companies cut debtors some slack 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Warriors looking for balance • Three Scots vying for QB slot • Jackson looks for another title • Decorated veteran continues to serve as active volunteer • City Council reviewing sign regulations • Wildcats get a peek at newcomers • Lynnwood still in rebuilding mode • Shoreline feels a kindergarten growth spurt • Leave the patriotic pyrotechnics to professionals, cities urge • Trading dollars for kilowatts New PUD energy conservation programs save ... • By John Wolcott SCBJ Editor • Record crowd at Paine Field’s General Aviation Day as FHC Celebrate ... • Celebration of aviation's history and future presented in multiple venue ... • The time is ripe for small businesses to take no prisoners • EPA proposal to regulate global-warming gases would be costly for small ... • Innovation helps the town of Forks to offset tough economy • Powering the people