By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The Niles Babe Ruth 13-year-old All-Stars are well on their way to Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc. for the Babe Ruth Ohio Valley Regional Tournament where the team will compete against some of the best All-Star teams in the Midwest.
The All-Stars left early Thursday morning to arrive in time for the opening ceremonies, which will take place this evening.
Niles' first game isn't until Friday evening at 6 p.m. when they will face the winner of the Indiana-Kentucky contest.
The winner of that game will then advance Sunday's game against the winner of the Ohio-West Virginia game at noon.
The loser will play at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday and face the loser of the West Kentucky-South Indiana game.
The tournament will conclude on Aug. 2.
Niles advanced to the tournament when they won the Michigan state championship in Grosse Pointe, July 15-17.
The All-Stars lost the first game to Grosse Pointe, 6-4, but rallied to win a pair of games, which advanced them to Wisconsin Rapids.
Strong picthing and hitting are two of Niles' strengths that should help them do well in the tournament.
The All-Stars consist of Zach Gerber, Aaron Davis, Brian Evans, Ricky Briand, Steve Solkey, Wayne Marazita, Mickel Lindzy, Kevin Gross, Derek Nichols, Tyler House, Zach Edquist, Dustin Bell and David Sokolowski. The team is coached by Brian House, Bob Bell and Roger Solkey.