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2008 Michigan State Champs
Bay City SW Little League (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

Bay City SWLL Writes Storybook Ending in State Championship Win

Southwest Wins; Indianapolis Next; Then World Series?

July 25, 2008       Leave a Comment
By: Kevin Leahy

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If a sports writer submitted a manuscript to his publisher describing what the Bay City Southwest Little League All Star team accomplished in 2008, that writer would be laughed at for making it so unbelievable.

Believe it! All of it.

Every part of the SWLL State Championship seems to have been scripted for a feel good, made for TV movie.

  • The host home team making it into the final game with dramatic come-from-behind wins.
  • The worthy adversary who eliminated them the prior year.
  • The league president who has spent 44 years in conquest of the elusive State Championship.
  • The weather even cooperated with two gorgeous billowy cloud, boys of summer afternoons with just enough breeze to keep you cool.

    Speaking of cool, those boys from Southwest are the coolest.

    The Southwest 11-12 year old All Stars are the Michigan State Champions and three wins away from playing in the Little League World Series on ESPN.

    In a battle of Little League giants, Bay City defeated Midland 3-2 to claim the title and a trip to the Great Lakes Regional then possibly the World Series in Pennsylvania.

    Congratulations to Southwest Little League and good luck in your quest and may the energy from Thursdays State Championship stay with you.

    Almost in a scripted fashion, Southwest League President Joan Weaver holds the Championship banner that has been in the works for more than thirty years at SWLL.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    The tandem of Scott Badour and his catcher Seth Freed combined for a very blue collar 3-2 victory over Midland.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Seth Freed gets some words of wisdom from Mr. Adcock after winning the state Championship.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Justin Gorr sits back on a called ball as AJ Rapanos of Midland plays him tight at third.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Logan Eby takes a good cut at one garnering a single in the pivotal fifth inning during the State Championship Thursday night.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    The Bay City Blue Crew fans came in all sizes cheering their team to victory.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Kollin Slachta's Mom Kerri and his aunt Alysia Hogan show their spirit and support for their favorite All-Star.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Scott Badour (on second) prepares to score the winning run for Bay City.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    The obligatory Gatorade dousing that every Championship coach receives was a cooling relief for coach Phelps.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Although playing in Bay City, Southwest hosted Midland as the home team but the real home team won the State Championship.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Brian Feinauer prepares to make a play at first base for Bay City.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    The new scoreboard at Southwest has shown nothing but wins for their team, including the State Championship. (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Jacob Alarie drives one to left keeping the dream alive in the Championship game. (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    The pitching duo of Scott Badour and Justin Gorr had the Midland team off their hard hitting game plan in the Championship. (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Coach Mike freed with his son Seth and wife Lori are happy to be a baseball family.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Scott Badour can handle the pressure on the mound or at the plate but he looks a bit nervous getting interviewed by local television.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Relief pitcher Justin Gorr came in both the semi-final and the Championship to seal both wins for Bay City.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Justin Gorr was cheered by the nervous crowd after he shut down the hard hitting Midland squad.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Where every strong reliever wants to be in the bottom of the last inning with a one run lead.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    The Midland batters were trying everything they could to get on base against Bay City ace Scott Badour.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Scott Badour settled in at short stop after handing over the pitching duties to Justin Gorr to seal the win.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Seth Freed shows off the hardware of the State Champions.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    A proud moment for the Slachta family as Kollin holds the hardware of the State Champions.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    The crowd and the media did not want to miss one second of the action during the 2008 State Championship.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Fanatical support from friends and family were a boon to Southwest in their quest to win the State Championship.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Taylor Schepper helps his team secure the State Championship.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    These are the memories these kids will be sharing with their grandchildren.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    Brenna Leahy was lucky enough to get each player to sign their name on her State Championship shirt.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

    The Number one twelve year old team in the entire state of Michigan in 2008.
    (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)
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    Kevin Leahy

    Kevin Leahy has an interest in all sports-related activities at the Local, State and National levels. Looking for the inside story? Leahy's got it . . .

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