By Staff
Six glorious days of baseball came to an end Tuesday afternoon at Russom Field with the crowning of a new Michigan Senior Baseball state champion.
The honors this year went to West Branch, which more than proved that they deserved to win the tournament.
What began last Friday with eight teams ended with two quality baseball squads.
West Branch went through the tournament undefeated and will now advance to the regional in Peru, Ill.. which begins on Friday.
Congratulations to West Branch. I believe you have the right stuff to make a run at the championship of the Central States Regional.
West Branch has all the tools which are needed to be successful in tournament play.
The team has a pair of outstanding pitchers, one right handed - Troy Lambert, and one left handed - Ricky Dodridge.
West Branch plays outstanding defense and has a solid group of hitters.
Eastwood was knocked into the consolation bracket by West Branch in a great game on Sunday.
This squad could have easily won the championship with a victory in that game.
They too had solid pitching, played good defense and sent a strong line up to the plate.
The difference between these two teams was having to play the extra games.
Either one of them would be great representatives for the state of Michigan.
But they weren't the only teams that performed well in this tournament.
Grand Rapids Southern, which did not advance to Tuesday's championship game because they had to forfeit a victory on Monday night due to the failure to meet mandatory play rules, could have won as well.
Midland, Melvindale, Harper Woods, Gladstone and Dowagiac all showed that they could compete at this level and be successful.
I would like to thank everyone involved with making this tournament a reality for Dowagiac and a great success.
From Dowagiac Little League president Loren Willming right down to every volunteer who worked the concession stand, sold 50/50 tickets, maintained the field and worked in the press box.
A few special thank yous go to Larry Brewer, Tracey Brewer, Bryan Wild and District 15 administrator John Kounelis, who made my work easy.
I would also like to thank the umpires who worked the tournament. They were outstanding.
I spend a lot of time at baseball and softball games and I can tell you honestly that these were some of the finest umpires I have seen.
Not only did they call a good game day in and day out, they helped out in many ways with keeping the tournament running smoothly.
Larry Brewer was the umpire-in-chief and his selection of Roger Brown (District 2), Tom McGorty (District 2), Pat Griffin (District 2), Greg Nezamis (District 2), John Norrington (District 10), Don Geiger (District 11), Adam Hamari (District 11), Steven Ritenour (District 11), Sam Fontechio (District 11), Wild (District 15), Randy Gross (District 15) and Larry Algair (District 15) should be applauded.
Finally, thank you to the those responsible for making me a part of the closing ceremonies.
I had no idea what Larry had in store for me on Tuesday, but I knew he was up to something. Besides a thank you, which was more than enough, he had me throw out the first pitch.
I will treasure that ball and the memories that you all created for me and those who participated in this wonderful tournament.