Summer Bash a success

Tuesday, June 23, 2009
By Jimmy Jones

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."

Comments

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Who was responsible for picking up the trash. The Park and fields looked great on Friday but trash was every where on Saturday and Sunday.

-- Posted by eagle dad on Wed, Jun 24, 2009, at 12:38 AM

Nice to see baseball getting great coverage. Anybody at the paper attempted to report any softball tourney results? I know there has been more than one in Shelbyville this summer!

-- Posted by tgreader on Thu, Jun 25, 2009, at 2:12 PM

There will actually be several area girls in action this weekend. I know of 3 teams comprised of local talent that will be at Mcknight Park (sports com)all day Saturday. Ray's Body Shop (comprised of Community, Shelbyville, and Cascade talent)begin play at 8 am. Bedford Blaze (made up of girls from Cascade, Shelbyville, Marshall County, Moore Count, and Forrest) begin play at 9 am. Come on over and enjoy some great softball action!

-- Posted by Mike Molder on Thu, Jun 25, 2009, at 6:16 PM

We are always happy to report on our local athletes exploits. This tournament received coverage because the organizers contacted us well in advance and provided schedules for local teams in their different divisions.

As hard as we try, we are not always aware of events taking place, especially during the summer months.

Each reporter has their email address posted with each article that is published in the T-G. Anyone that has events scheduled should feel free to write to us and let us know so that we can arrange for someone to attend.

Please keep in mind that with the current economic climate that we will very rarely travel to cover these events. Exceptions would be for state championships, etc.

Thanks Mike for posting the schedule. I will try and get out there this weekend since so many of our local schools are represented.

-- Posted by Jimmy Jones on Fri, Jun 26, 2009, at 10:46 AM