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75 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, August 28, 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 August 4, 2004 Babe Ruth regional set for The Yard By FRANK SILOW Mail Tribune The Yard in Eagle Point has become a mecca for Babe Ruth baseball. When the 15-year-old Pacific Northwest Regional opens at The Yard Thursday it will mark the third major Babe Ruth tournament hosted by Eagle Point in the past two years. The Yard was home to the 14-year-old regional last season and the South state tournament earlier this year. Additionally, Eagle Point will host the 13- year-old Pacific Northwest Regional in 2005. "We have an awesome complex," Eagle Point youth baseball coordinator Randi Fahndrich said. "It’s great to utilize it." The Yard has two outstanding playing fields and a scenic view of nearby foothills. The complex is located behind Eagle Point High. Advertisement Opening ceremonies for the 10-team, pool-play format event take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, followed by a full slate of games beginning at noon. Games will follow at 3 and 7 p.m. on the opening day. There will be four games each day from Friday through Monday at 10 a.m., 1, 4 and 7 p.m. A single elimination, with the top two teams from each pool, will be played Tuesday. The semifinal is at 10 a.m. and the championship is set for 1 p.m. The winner of the regional will advance to the Babe Ruth World Series at Longview, Wash., Aug. 20-28. Host Upper Rogue will play the 7 p.m. game Thursday through Sunday. Admission for adults is $5 a game and $20 for a tournament pass, while the price for those 7-18 and 62 and over is $3 a game and $15 for the pass. A family pass for the tournament is $45. Teams from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Canada will participate. In addition to Upper Rogue, three of the teams — Gillette, Wyo., Lewiston, Idaho and Calgary, Alberta — played at Eagle Point as 14-year-olds last year. Klamath Falls and Pendleton represent Oregon as the south and north state champions. Upper Rogue gets an automatic bid as host. Upper Rogue coach Joe Miers is confident his team will be competitive off last year’s performance at regionals. "I feel our kids are capable of playing with those guys," said Miers. "When we’re on, we’ll beat anybody. Consistency has been a problem." Miers’ optimism is based on a strong pitching staff led by Jesse Keesee. "(Keesee) has great velocity," said Miers. "His curve and slider move unbelievable." When Keesee is not pitching, he will play shortstop and the outfield. He is also the team’s leadoff hitter. Other top pitchers are Buddy Collier and Johnny Harvey, who is also the starting catcher. Offensively, Keesee, Collier and Austin Owens are the stalwarts. Miers understands why The Yard is so popular for Babe Ruth tournaments. "It’s one of the best high school facilities I’ve ever seen," said Miers. "There are two diamonds with awesome infields. We’ve got a miniature major league clubhouse under the grandstand. Everything is very modern, like the restrooms and refreshment stand. And there’s lots of parking." Upper Rogue (23-5) opens pool play against Pendleton. Other teams in Upper Rogue’s pool are Gillette, Wyo., Hazel Dell, Wash., and Kalispell, Mont. Reach reporter Frank Silow at 776-4480, 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 SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities