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Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad August 10, 2005 Community gives team a send off Phoenix-Talent 13-15s headed to World Series By Kevin Goff For the Tidings TALENT — The message was loud and clear Tuesday night at Colver Field. From the two guest speakers to the balloons and banners draped around the field, the point was hard to miss: The community was proud of what the Phoenix-Talent Babe Ruth has achieved and, more importantly, the kind of character it has displayed in doing so. About 75 people, mostly family and friends, gathered to give a warm send-off to Phoenix-Talent as it prepares to leave for the 13-15-year-old Babe Ruth World Series in Abbesville, La. The team departs this morning for the eight-team tournament that runs from Aug. 13-20. Phoenix High baseball coach Joe Hagler, who was one of the speakers, echoed the common theme. “This is a special group,” said Hagler, who will inherit a number of the older players next spring at the high school varsity level. “There’s no cocky attitudes, no egos. They just all work hard.” Alan Decker, the coach of the Phoenix-Talent 14-year-old squad, and his wife, Tami, organized the event, which also featured pizza, cake and a donation box to help with the expensive trip. “I was more than happy to do this,” said Alan Decker. “This is such a nice group of kids. They deserve something like this.” The Phoenix-Talent team is the first Rogue Valley squad to advance to the Babe Ruth World Series since a team from Medford qualified in 1984. The coach of that team, Dan Marshall, was on hand to lend words of encouragement. “They really pull out the red carpet for you (at the World Series),” said Marshall, now the South Medford softball coach, to the players. “You’re one of the best eight teams in the nation. Just go out there and leave it on the field.” Phoenix-Talent (28-1) rolled through the state tournament unscathed, then posted a hard-fought 5-1 record to claim the Northwest Regional title in Nampa, Idaho, last week. Head coach Mike George described the feeling over the last week as, “like being on cloud nine.” “I couldn’t be more proud of the kids,” he added. “I’ve been coaching most of these kids since they were 10. “It’s amazing. I’m blessed to be a part of this.” George was equally impressed with the turnout Tuesday to greet the players prior to their final practice. “I definitely was not expecting this,” he said. “I figured maybe 10, 15, 20 people at most. “The community has been very supportive through all of this.” Following words from Marshall, Hagler and George, assistant coach Dwayne Robinson introduced each player and their parents, who then wrapped up the celebration with a “Let’s go Phoenix” chant. “Things like this don’t happen very often,” said Hagler. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these kids.” And the community as well. Kevin Goff is a sports reporter for the Medford Mail Tribune. To comment on this article, contact Daily Tidings Sports Editor Joe Zavala at 482-3456 ext. 3020 or [email protected]. --> Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.