Summer Bash a success

Shelbyville second baseman Lane Stacey gets dirty trying to make a play. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

It was a banner weekend for baseball in Bedford County as 31 teams invaded H.V. Griffin Park for the third annual Bedford County Summer Bash, an affiliate of the Tennessee Youth Baseball Association.

The weather was scorching hot and so was the action on the field as teams from as far away as Pleasant View and Spring Hill ventured into Shelbyville to try out the competition.

New experience

"We made the trip down because we wanted to get away from our area and try our hand by facing some new competitors in a different setting than our kids were used to," Pleasant View coach Michael Douglas said. "It was really more than what we expected -- the fields are immaculate, the staff was very friendly and helpful and the teams here were all tough.

"We faced the best level of competition that we have played against all year. We will definitely be back next year."

Douglas, who serves as Pleasant View's police chief when not coaching his 11-12 year old travel team, topped off his weekend by finishing second in their division.

"We were very impressed with the community and our families enjoyed the hospitality of the folks here in Shelbyville," Douglas said.

Worth the effort

The play was outstanding and so is the financial return to the community when this many teams representing approximately 600 kids, coaches and parents get together in one setting.

Local hotels sold out, restaurants overflowed, convenience stores did a thriving business and the Shelbyville Recreation Center pool and facilities got a good workout between games.

Tough play

The Spring Hill Raiders came to the tournament for the first time, having participated exclusively in Little League functions this past season and wanting to add some variety to their schedule.

The Raiders lost their first two games in pool play and then made a remarkable run through the brackets to finish first in their division.

Shelbyville's Tripp Hardison lines out a base hit in Bedford County Summer Bash action. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"Our team has only played together for about a week," Spring Hill coach Paul Seltz said. "We were playing each other last week and put this team together to do some traveling this summer.

"We discovered very quickly that the competition in Shelbyville is a lot tougher than we expected and some of the best that we will see this year.

"The staff and umpires were very understanding and helpful to us because we were adjusting to TYBA rules as we went. We liked playing TYBA, we feel that this association is very amenable to promoting a healthy and competitive environment for the kids.

"Everybody that we encountered in the community was friendly and the facilities here are outstanding. It was our first visit here, but it sure won't be our last. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience in Shelbyville."

Supportive area

"I would like to thank all of the local business that contributed and were so supportive," organizer Chris Thomas said. "Without them none of this would be possible.

"We are extremely fortunate to live in a supportive community that takes such an active interest in our youth."