Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Sidney pitcher Micah Schneider faces down a Gering batter in State Cal Ripkin Tournament play Saturday. Sidney's 11-and-under team fought its way to the title by defeating Chadron twice Sunday.
Sidney's Cal Ripken baseball team came through its bracket the hard way over the weekend, but emerged as state champions on its way to the 11-and-under regional baseball tournament in Council Grove, Kan. July 24.
Sidney opened tournament play Friday afternoon with a 10-5 over Gering, then was sent to the bottom half of the double elimination bracket later in the day with a 10-6 loss to Chadron.
Battling back through the bracket, Sidney clipped Gering again, 5-2, and edged Scottsbluff 7-6 Saturday afternoon to earn a chance at the tournament title against Chadron.
Chadron became the team to beat, earning its trip to the title game with a 15-5 win over Scottsbluff, entering the title game in the driver's seat with no losses.
Sidney jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the must-win game against Chadron Sunday , setting up the title game with a 3-1 win.
As temperatures rose above 100 degrees, Sidney's play remained equally hot in the championship. Sidney jumped out to a 3-0 lead, which Chadron matched by the second inning, but from there Sidney bats pounded Chadron pitchers on the way to a 13-6 win.
Sidney combined strings of hits with heads-up, aggressive base running to build its lead in the middle innings. At the same time, the local youngsters shut down Chadron's dangerous offense with solid defensive play.
Cal Ripken play is a part of the Babe Ruth baseball league, providing youth the chance to learn end enjoy the game of baseball.
Cal Ripken Baseball is played under the Official Baseball Rules, but implements some special rules as necessary for the development and welfare of young players. The game is played on a 60-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 46 feet. In order to encourage the league to train more pitchers, there are rules that set the maximum number of innings a pitcher may pitch in a calendar week. Regulation games consist of six innings.
Tournament Results
First Round
Sidney 10, Gering 5
Second Round
Scottsbluff 14, Sandhills 5
Chadron 10, Sidney 6
Third Round
Chadron 15, Scottsbluff 5
Loser's Bracket
Gering defeated Sandhills
Sidney 5, Gering 2
Sidney 7, Scottsbluff 6
Double Elimination Championship
Sidney 3, Chadron 1
Sidney 13, Chadron 6
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