Babe Ruth tourney starts next Thursday

The annual Mission Valley Babe Ruth tournament gets underway next Thursday, as eight of the Valley's teams will battle in a double elimination format that has games from Thursday through Sunday — and it's shaping up to be a barnburner.

To date, only one or two losses seperate the top four teams — the Ronan Mariners, Ronan Reds, Polson Pirates and Mission Rockies.

Games will begin June 14 at 6 p.m. and will feature home games for the league's top four seeds. Those four teams will host the Plains Royals, Polson Scrappers, Polson Griz and Arlee Warriors.

However, the seeding is still subject to change, due to make-up games taking place this week after the Leader went to press, but there will be games held in Ronan, Mission and Polson beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday for first and second round games.

The action shifts to Polson's O'Maley field over the weekend where the teams will play on the Legion field.

Games will begin on Saturday at 9 a.m. and will continue at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. The winners of Saturday's games will advance to the championship round on Sunday, Father's Day, when games will begin at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the day until a champion is crowned.

"It should be a real thrill for the kids to play at O'Maley," said league president and Polson Pirates coach Alan Anderson. "A lot of them hope to play for the Mariners one day."