By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - All-Star action at Fireman's Youth Park begins on Tuesday when the 8-year-old Maroon team will begin double elimination play in the Berrien Springs tournament against Berrien Springs.
The winner of this game will play Brandywine's 8-year-old Gold team on Thursday, July 7.
The 11-year-old team will begin round robin play also in the Berrien Springs tournament on Thursday, July 7 beginning at 6:30 p.m. against Berrien Springs.
The 10-year-old team will travel to Detroit on Friday, July 8th for the Cal Ripken 10-year-old Michigan State Tournament. The 10-year-olds will begin play against Lanse Creuse North at 3:45 p.m. on Friday, July 8.
The 12-year-old team will also travel to Detroit on Friday, July 8 for the Cal Ripken 12-year-old Michigan State Tournament. The 12-year-olds will begin play against Benton Harbor at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 8.
All five teams will take part in the Annual Eaton Park Invitational Tournament in St. Joseph beginning July 13. As schedules are received, the website will be updated.
The 11-year-olds will be traveling to Vincennes, Ind. July 21-26 to take part in the 11-Year-Old Cal Ripken Ohio Valley Regional. The Brandywine 11-year-olds will be representing the state of Michigan in the 11-year-old age group.
Also next week, the awards banquet will be held for all teams and players involved in regular season play. The banquet begins at 6 p.m.
Home run tracker
Congratulations to the following players that have accomplished what every young player's goal is – to hit a home run!
Greg Rhodes of the Phillies had six home runs
Adam Earles of the Orioles had two home runs
Buck Bourdon of the Orioles had one home run
Colin Latislaw of the Phillies had two home runs
Austin Searles of the Indians had two home runs
Christopher Mangus of the Cardinals had two home runs
Patrick VanKirk of the Cubs had three home runs Marcus Hatch of the Indians had one home run.