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62 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, August 3, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 31, 2004 Medford American Little League standouts Colin Sowers, left, and Matt Maurer have been chosen to participate on a state team that will play in a 64-team tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y., Aug. 29 through Sept. 5. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Little League stars earn trip to Cooperstown Sowers, Maurer picked to play on state all-star squad By DON HUNT Mail Tribune Two Little League baseball standouts from Medford have been selected to play on a hand-picked all-star team from Oregon that will tour the East Coast and play in a 64-team tournament Aug. 29 through Sept. 5 at Cooperstown, N.Y. Pitcher Matt Maurer and catcher Colin Sowers will join 13 other 12-year-old players from around the state for the seventh annual National Invitational Tournament of Champions. "There are between 250 and 300 teams trying to get into this tournament each year," says Greg Ireland, director of the Metro Baseball Academy in Portland who put together the Oregon squad. "Almost every big-time club in this age group from California, Texas and Florida will be there. "It’s an amazing tournament." Prior to the tournament, the Oregon contingent will fly to Chicago on Aug. 23 and take in a Cubs game, then move on to Boston and New York to watch the Red Sox and Yankees. Advertisement The team will then head to Cooperstown and visit the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame prior to the tournament’s opening ceremonies on Aug. 28. The eight-day tournament kicks off the following day. Ireland said he scouts hundreds of Little League players each year. Some head to all-star tournaments in other states but only the top 15 are invited to make the trip to Cooperstown. "I’m not saying we get the top 15 every year but we get our share," said Ireland, noting that the Oregon squad finished third one year and fifth another year at the Tournament of Champions. "I start looking at kids when they’re 9 years old." Ireland first spotted Maurer and Sowers at a state tournament last year and then invited them to play in a big tournament in Bend over the Memorial Day weekend so he could get another look at them. "There’s no doubt in my mind that they can play at this level," Ireland said. Maurer and Sowers, who will be seventh-graders this fall at Hedrick Middle School, starred on the Medford American Blue team that recently won the District 6 tournament and took third at state. Sowers batted over .700 and hit five home runs in the postseason while Maurer hit four homers, one of which traveled more than 300 feet before settling into a pond. On the mound, Maurer has had a monstrous summer. The 5-foot-8, 145-pound left-hander struck out 17 of a possible 18 batters (Little League games last six innings) during a regular-season game and struck out 13 in three straight appearances during the district tournament. In the Medford American Blue’s opening game at the state tourney, Maurer threw a three-hitter and fanned 14 during an 8-1 victory over Roseburg. "I’m really excited about this — it’s going to be a blast," Sowers said of the trip back east. "I can’t imagine doing anything more fun." Said Maurer: "I’m going to be excited and nervous at the same time." Recent North Medford High standout Rob Folsom and 2004 North Medford graduate Jeff Adams participated on the Oregon all-star squad in 1998. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times