North Side Teams Show Strength In Legion Play
Two weeks into American Legion baseball’s AAA experiment, the balance of power lies on the North Side.
The Spokane Legion league combined teams this year to form a six-team AAA division in an effort to put Spokane on a par with other leagues statewide.
“The baseball is bound to be better and there’s more professionalism,” said Legion commissioner Tom Halvorson. “It’s a better opportunity for the kids because other teams wouldn’t play us.”
Approaching the halfway point of the Spokane League, the North Stars of Mead, Rogers, Riverside and Deer Park are 7-3.
The Blue Devils of North Central, Shadle Park, Lakeside and Northwest Christian are 6-3.
Last week, the North Stars were 8-1, including three wins over teams visiting from Montana. Matt Armitage went 13-for-23, and Grant Reeves batted .360 with three home runs and pitched a pair of victories.
The Blue Devils won two of four games, through Tuesday, and are one-half game behind.
In addition to the AAA league, there are 18-team AA and A leagues involving a total of 800 players.
“The league is bigger than ever,” Halvorson said.
Softball teams shine in tourneys
Spokane-area softball teams, combining the best players from local high schools, have done well in a pair of Moses Lake Tournaments.
Last weekend the Spokane Sting won an 18-U event over the Spokane Heat. The Sting included pitcher Shata Stuckey and shortstop Holly Turner from Mead.
A third Spokane team, the 16-U River City Rivals, placed fourth after losing to the Heat 6-4 and the Washington Heat 6-2.
Among its team members are sisters Janessa and DeAnna Karstens. Janessa is an all-GSL player from North Central.
Earlier this year the Rivals finished third in the Sun Basin 16-U Tournament at Moses Lake. Placing second were the Valley Villains, and fourth were the Diamond Magic, which include Shanelle Test, who pitched for North Central last year and is moving to Mead next year.
North Side AAU team to nationals
Granny’s Buffet, an AAU 12-U basketball team made up of North Side athletes, will participate in the national tournament July 20-27 in Salt Lake City.
Coached by Craig Bishop, Granny’s won the 12-U division of the National Qualifying Tournament in Spokane.
It was the first area team of that age group to qualify for nationals in 16 years and did so in the first Spokane-hosted qualifier.
Team members are Spencer Bishop, Brent Weisner, Bryan Zimmerman, Ken Martin and Brandon Zimmerman from Woodridge Elementary, Pat Donovan and John Lattin from Indian Trail, Dan Cox and Mark Dollar from Assumption and Josh Oglessbee from Arlington.
, DataTimes