Auto Tech Sales and Service Wins the Bay County Little League Tournament

July 4, 2009       Leave a Comment
By: John Keuvelaar

Printer Friendly Story View

There was plenty of cheering coming from the corner of Woodside and Trumbull and it wasn't because the bridge was opened. This was the sight of the Annual Bay County Tournament hosted this year by the Northeast Little League and sponsored by Labadie Auto Company. But cheering wasn't the only noise coming from the field. There were plenty of bats cracking particularly from Auto Tech of the Southwest Little League as they dominated the play on their way to the Bay County Tournament Championship.

The Bay County Tournament brings together the first place teams from each of the five Bay County Little Leagues in a double elimination playoff for Bay County bragging rights. It also sports a second division tournament of all the leagues' second place teams in a Runner-up tournament as well. The real winners are the kids, family and friends who participate and watch some of the finest local twelve and under talents enjoy the spirit of competition. What a great way to enjoy a summer evening by watching kids play ball at our fine local Little League facilities.

In the Division I first place team games, an interesting trend developed. Virtually every winner won by a large margin. In the opening round of play, SWLL Auto Tech scored in all but the third inning on their way to a 12-4 win over NWLL Gephardt's. Likewise, EHLL American Legion scored in all but the fourth inning on their way to a 16-4 win over NELL F.O.P.

Auto Tech's closest game came in their second round as they took on SELL Lions Club. A third inning homer by Carson helped power the Techie's to a 4-1 win to advance to the semi-finals against the American Legion.

Meanwhile in what is called the losers' bracket, Gephardt's and the F.O.P. looked to climb back into the tournament. But Gephardt's was too much this day as they won 15-1. Certainly, they wished they had saved some of those runs as they needed them when they faced the tough Lions Club. Fresh off a close loss, the Lions roared back for a 10-3 win and a date with the loser of the Auto Tech, American Legion game.

Auto Tech flexed their muscles against the Legion. Scoring twice in the first and second innings then four times in the fourth and fifth innings, they stormed by the Legion 12-2. Undaunted, the Legions rode a seven run second inning on their way to a 13-3 win over the Lions and a rematch with Auto Tech.

Having suffered one loss, the Legion had to beat Auto Tech twice to claim the crown. Fine tuned and running smooth, the Tech's exploded for 8 runs in the second inning capped off by a Tyler home run to build a 9-1 lead after two. Then the Tech's put the pedal to the metal as they rang up seven more runs highlighted by Tyler's second homer of the game, a grand slam to win 16-1 thus giving the SWLL Auto Tech's the Bay County Title.

In the Runner-up Division, Southwest Little League made it a clean sweep of the tournament as Harpham took the Division II title. Their closest game came in the first round when they defeated NWLL Copoco Credit Union 5-4. Harpham's continued their title march by defeating NELL Kiwanis 13-2 and EHLL Rost Cleaners 13-2 to reach the finals.

Copoco remained determined after their opening round heart-breaker. They started their title game march in the losers' bracket by first defeating SELL St. Hyacinth 9-5. They then beat Kiwanis 14-5 and Rost Cleaners to force a rematch in the title game. But Harpham was on a mission as they shutout Copoco 5-0 to claim the Division II Title and give the Southwesterner's the ultimate bragging rights for 2009 by winning both Divisions.

The true winners were the players and fans who enjoyed this event. The fun, the experiences and the memories is what will stand out in years to come. For some players, it is on to all-stars games. For others, it is another highlight in a summer under the sun.



Caught with only his bare hands?
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Sean fires one to home plate.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Nick slams ball for a triple.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Rost Cleaning watches the game as they prepare for their turn on the field.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Fans cheer on as the game takes an exciting turn.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Teammates chill out and relax after the game.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Families enjoy some time together after the game.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Parker catches a pop up to third base for the out.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Brendon catches a high fly to the outfield.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Logan flows through the motions as he pitches to ball to the catcher.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Scotty slides into third for the steal .
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Nick is congratulated by his teammates after hitting a home run.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Emily puts on her game face as she delivers her pitch.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Emily slams the ball sending it to the outfield
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Victor leans as he attempts to catch the falling ball.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Austin connects with the ball allowing him to get a single
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Northwest right fielder #38 catches a pop up gaining the out.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Southwest Auto Tech shakes hands with both EHLL American Legion and Umpires at the end of the game.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Southwest Auto Tech celebrate as they win the Bay County Tournament.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

EHLL American Legion played strong as they finished 2nd place in the Bay County Tournament.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

---

Printer Friendly Story View

	Prior Article February 10, 2020 by: Rachel Reh Family Winter Fun Fest is BACC Hot Spot for 2/10/2020
	Next Article February 2, 2020 by: Kathy Rupert-Mathews MOVIE REVIEW: "Just Mercy" ... You Will Shed Tears, or at Least You Should

Agree? or Disagree? Leave a Comment!

---

John Keuvelaar
John Keuvelaar is a college student at Midwest Photography Workshops and Delta College. More from John Keuvelaar

---

Send This Story to a Friend!       Letter to the editor       Link to this Story
Printer-Friendly Story View

---

--- Advertisments ---