Tag Archive for: Little League

Federal Way, WA — The Camas 12U All-Star baseball team fell to Marysville, 6-5, on Saturday at the Washington State Little League Tournament, and face West Valley tonight in a must-win game.

The boys fought back after falling down by four runs in the fourth inning during Game 1. Their comeback fell short, though. The Camas All-Stars scored three runs in the failed comeback on a home run by Zach Blair, and a groundout by Jackson Knuth.

Camas stayed right with Marysville into the fourth inning, when Marysville hit a home run. Marysville captured the lead in the first inning when player #7 drove in a run when he was walked with bases loaded. Camas knotted the game up at two in the bottom of the third inning when Blair drove in one run when he homered, with zero outs.

The Camas starting lineup:

  • Zach Blair
  • Easton McCarty
  • Carson Gilligan
  • Justin Taylor
  • Jackson Knuth
  • Tyler Stewart
  • Stephen Behil
  • Ethan Hubbell
  • Canon Bauman

Tonight is a must-win for the boys to continue tournament play.

The Camas 12U All-Star team won the District 4 Tournament last Monday night, and were undefeated in post-season play until Saturday’s game. The team is coached by Casey Taylor.

To learn more, visit www.camasll.com

 

Two Camas baseball teams are heading for their respective tournament championship games today and Monday. Fresh off winning their semi-finals today (18-0 vs. Mt. Adams), the Camas Little League 11/12 All-Star Team plays in the District 4 championship game on Monday at 5:30 pm at David Douglas Park, home of Columbia Little League.

The Camas Papermakers 18U Varsity team won their semi-final (10-5 vs. Hillsboro Spartans) game Saturday night at Rutschman Stadium, which is home to the Hillsboro High School Spartans. The Papermakers are playing in the Hillsboro Wood Bat Tournament. The Championship game starts at 5:30 pm today at Hillsboro High School against Columbia River.

Baseball

Gideon Malychewski pitches at Hillsboro.

Both teams are undefeated in their respective tournaments.

The All-Star team, which is coached by Casey Taylor, Bryce Gehlen, and Bryan Williams, will play the winner of today’s 4 pm game on Monday at 5:30 pm. The winner of the District 4 Tournament Championship will represent District 4 at State, which will be held in Federal Way, WA.

The Papermakers team, which is coached by Stephen Short, has been playing an aggressive summer schedule with multiple tournaments and regular games. During the semi-finals, they pitched brothers Sam and Gideon Malychewski.

To learn more about Little League, visit www.camasll.com 

Baseball Photo Gallery

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Camas, WA — Camas Little League announced their 2017 Baseball and Softball All-Star teams Monday afternoon, commencing the organization’s post-season. In all, six teams were announced — three baseball, and three softball.

Baseball teams are divided into three age groups: 9/10, 10/11, and 11/12. Softball teams are organized into three groups: Minors, Majors, and Juniors. The All-Star teams will compete in District level competition culminating in a winning team that will claim the District title. The champions in the older divisions will compete at the State level, and have the potential to play in the World Series, in August.

All-Star Baseball Team Rosters

Baseball 9/10                                                                             

  • Manager Josh Pike
  • Coach Joe Glassmire
  • Coach Ted Wieczorek
  • Parker Castellani
  • Boris Christensen
  • Sawyer Clifton
  • Thomas Clute
  • Cai Davis
  • Anthony Forner
  • Jared Forner
  • Alec Fraser
  • Mason Glassmire
  • Lukas Morse
  • Lucas Peterson
  • Brevin Pike
  • Teddy Wieczorek
  • Jack Williams

Baseball 10/11 

  • Manager Nick Kralj
  • Coach Ryan Meyer
  • Coach TJ Trujillo
  • Aaron Forsyth
  • Aaron Geigenmiller
  • Andrew Kralj
  • Owen Meyer
  • Grady Milholen
  • Carter Phelan
  • Hayden Reich
  • Jaxsen Rodgers
  • KJ Thiemann
  • Diego Trujillo
  • Trevor Wong

Baseball 11/12

  • Manager Casey Taylor                                                                                                                                                                                                          
  • Coach Bryce Gehlen
  • Coach Bryan Williams
  • Cannon Bauman
  • Stephen Behil
  • Zach Blair
  • Kaisen Burr
  • Cade Gehlen
  • Carson Gilligan
  • Ethan Hubbell
  • Jackson Knuth
  • Easton McCarty
  • Tyler Stewart
  • Aaron Sung
  • Jacob Swenson
  • Justin Taylor
  • Holt Williams

 

All-Stars

Camas Little League Mariners players talk during a time out.

All-Star Softball Team Rosters

Softball Minors

  • Manager Mark Daniels
  • Coach Dennis Jackson
  • Coach Ken Schweitzer
  • Lilia Boyd
  • Isabella Brustad
  • Claire Daniels
  • Chloe Koprowski
  • Grace Martin
  • Harmony Martin
  • Lila McGeachy
  • Lauren Mitchell
  • Charli Parker
  • Riley Sanz
  • Ainsley Schweitzer
  • Isabel Shattuck
  • Kalli True

Softball Majors 

  • Manager Rochelle Gittings
  • Coach Tawnia Chenette
  • Grace Barsness
  • Kennedy Boatwright
  • Gracie Buzzell
  • Mercy Canifax
  • Kasey Clifton
  • Samantha Gittings
  • Reagan Jamison
  • Amelia Marcum
  • Alyson Ohnstad
  • Candice Owen
  • Molly Peebles
  • Keira Williams

 

Softball Juniors

  • Manager Kim Ritter
  • Coach Ryan Bushnell (Cascade)
  • Coach Jason Cagle
  • Claire Burton (Cascade)
  • Addy Cagle
  • Natalie Collins
  • Courtney Edmunds (Cascade)
  • Gabby Esparza
  • Maggie Lyons
  • Adrianna Puckett (Cascade)
  • Darian Reeves (Cascade)
  • Alycen Templer
  • Cassie Templer
  • Avery Thamert (Cascade)
  • Kamryn Walker

To learn more, visit www.camasll.com

Camas, WA — Longtime baseball umpire and sports enthusiast, Joe Pleckinger, officiated at his final game at Forest Home Park Friday night. Age age 87, he felt it was time to hang it up.

Friday night’s game ended an umpire career in multiple sports that started in 1958.

“I was a Parks and Rec Director, and we weren’t paid a lot of money,” said Pleckinger. “So, I found some opportunities to umpire — for the extra money. I’d take the 60 bucks I’d make as an umpire, and then I would go down to the lumber yard and finish off my basement. This was in Minnesota.”

Pleckinger then moved his family to Northbrook, Ill. and got contacted to umpire in a suburban league, which comprised eight big schools in Chicago.

“We officiated at multiple games with a four-man crew,” said Pleckinger.  “We were there for three seasons, and then moved back to Minnesota.”

In the early 60s, he officiated at games in Minnesota. He umpired small college and high school baseball, basketball, and football games. Often, he’d get called on short notice to umpire games.

“It’s still like that,” he says. “You know how it is.”

In 1978, the Pleckinger’s moved to Olympia, Washington, but his job prevented him from officiating for several years. But that changed when they moved to SW Washington, and in September 2005, he resumed umpire duties for the Little League.

“I like being around the people — the fans and the kids,” he said. “I enjoy base umpiring because it’s not so physically strenuous. I enjoy honest competition. I enjoy golf, football, baseball, and a good track meet on television.”

Umpire

Joe Pleckinger gets ready to officiate at his final game.

About Youth Sports Today

“I think in the situation we’re in, I like the parent involvement we have in Camas,” said Pleckinger. “I think the parents do a good job of leaving the game on the field. Sometimes we have a few people upset, but it’s usually from somebody that doesn’t own the call. That’s why I make my calls loud and clear. The ball isn’t caught until it’s secured. Often the first baseman’s foot isn’t on the base.”

Advice?

“I think the kids are learning they’re going to get out of it what they put in it,” he adds. “If they don’t put in extra time, they won’t excel. Parents need to be involved. It’s a good thing.”

The whole family loves sports. The Pleckinger’s have watched for years their grandsons (Jake and Zack Blair) compete, and rarely miss a game. And, Joe is affectionately called “Grandpa Joe” by those who know him well.

“Joe focuses on teaching the kids, and so does my son-in-law, John Blair,” said Carol Pleckinger, Joe’s wife. “They use each situation as a teaching moment.”

She says they do this naturally.

“Last night’s game, I was talking to kids who don’t usually play on second base — I tell them to not stand on second base because it’s interference. It’s a teaching moment.”

Little League umpires are volunteers. They’re not paid for their work, but are typically given a bottle of water, Gatorade, and a meal after their work is completed.

 

Umpire

Calling a foul ball.

 

Umpire

Joe Pleckinger speaks with Orioles catcher, Jackson Knuth, between innings during his final game.

 

Camas, WA — The Camas Little League (CLL) regular season closed this week with the Majors Royals team (15-3) winning their division title. They won their final game Friday night against the Orioles, 24-22.

The boys brought their bats to the games, but they also impressed defensively.

“Our top line pitchers were as good as anybody in the league,” said manager/head coach, Casey Taylor. “Aaron Sung, Zach Blair, Dom Colletto, Jake Swenson, and Justin Taylor. What else stood out? Patrick Phelps, who hasn’t played since T-ball, is a 12-year-old now, and is by far the most improved player in the league. He made some big plays for us. Big plays defensively, big plays offensively, and all the kids were real easy to coach.”

Royals

Zach Blair at bat. Jackson Knuth catching for the Orioles.

John Blair and Will Speakman also coached the winning team. The coaches have spent countless hours over the span of many years coaching Little League teams, both regular and post-season.

“It was always fun to play against the Royals,” said Reds player, Easton McCarty. “They’re a good team. We had a lot of fun on the Reds team, too.”

Teams were drafted in March, and competitive play began in April. Post-season All-Star teams will be announced this week.

Royals

Coach Casey Taylor helps Zach Blair warm up before Friday’s game.

Royals Team Roster

  • Asher Asbury
  • Zach Blair
  • Dominic Colletto
  • Cai Davis
  • Beck Gummer
  • Grady Milholen
  • Patrick Phelps
  • Reagan Speakman
  • Aaron Sung
  • Jacob Swenson
  • Justin Taylor

Camas Little League has been a part of Camas for more than 50 years, and brings youth (ages 5-14) together each season to play ball. To learn more, visit www.camasll.com

Royals

Aaron Sung warms up.

Royals

Reagan Speakman.

VANCOUVER, WA — The Intermediate (50/70) Division from Camas Little League made a statement this weekend.
The Camas Little League 50/70 All-Stars won big Sunday evening against Columbia, 15-3, in five innings to clinch the District 4 Championship title for their division. The win earns the 12 boys the opportunity to compete at State competition this weekend at Snohomish, WA.
The 50/70 All-Stars District 4 Champions. Back row, left to right:
Coach Casey Taylor, Manager Brendan Ford, Luke Brewer, Jake Trupp,
Billy Schuldt, Grant Heiser, Mitchell McKowan, Coach Mark Trupp.
Front row, left to right: Jake Taylor, Brett Filuk, Christian Geigenmiller, Jack Lattimer,
Tony Lattanzi, and Camden Ford.
 
The boys played Columbia earlier in the day and narrowly lost, 6-5. After a hearty lunch, Camas brought their bats back in the late afternoon game and made a statement, scoring six runs at the top of the first inning. While Columbia burned up several pitchers, Camas only pitched Billy Schuldt, but had Christian Geigenmiller warming up in the bull pen. Grant Heiser caught the entire game.
 
At Sunday’s first game, Mitchell McKowan pitched half the game, and was relieved by Jake Taylor.
 
The boys began their tournament Friday night against Columbia, as well. Luke Brewer was a workhorse on the mound, throwing 95 pitches. Geigenmiller closed the game.
The boys executed an excellent defensive game, communicating well with each other, and making smart plays throughout.
 
Little League’s  50/70 division, in its third year, is designed to help the players adjust from the standard Little League regulation field (for ages 5-12) to the much larger high school full-size regulation field. The 50/70 team is managed by Brendan Ford, who has coached at Camas Little League for eight seasons. The team is also coached by Mark Trupp and Casey Taylor.
 
Ford’s regular season team, called the Camas Fuel, also won first place in the division this season.
 
The State tournament, which begins July 5, includes seven districts from across Washington state.

The new division is steadily growing among leagues across the country. To learn more, visit www.camasll.com

 
 
 

Camas Little League and Majors Mariners hitter Zach Terry hit it out of the park Friday night against Columbia Little League at the start of a three-day Majors District 4 Tournament. Terry hit it right over the fence. His Mariners team beat their Columbia opponents.

 

Camas, WA — Little League baseball fans got more than they bargained for Tuesday night at Forest Home Park in Camas. What started off as two ordinary, but very separate Majors division games between the Yankees and A’s, and the Mariners and Reds turned into surprise and excitement – and some interesting parallels.

Both games started at the exact time on separate fields at the same park, and both games stayed close – for a while.

Let’s start with the A’s/Yankees game. The game stayed close with the Yankees giving the A’s (6-1) a good run, and then the third inning came. This is where Ryan Behnke made his mark. He had one homerun that widened his team’s lead, but he wasn’t done. Not by a long shot. As the inning continued, Behnke would have another at-bat, but this time bases were loaded.

Sluggers
Left to right: A’s pitcher Ryan Behnke and Mariners player Joey Schnell
each had two home runs apiece Tuesday night as they played other teams
on opposite fields. Behnke’s second home run was a grand slam. Schnell’s
first was three-run homer.

 

Dante Humble
A’s catcher Dante Humble looks for the umpire’s call.

 

Yankees
The Yankees had a late-game rally against the A’s.

The score was 8-3 A’s and by the sound of Behnke’s bat, you knew it was going over the fence. And that’s just what it did – with the ball hitting the street. A GRANDSLAM! The fans were euphoric as Behnke sent his teammates home and had his modest run between the bases. The look on his was face was priceless. Behnke’s hitting prowess gave the A’s a 12-3 lead.”This feels really good,” said Behnke, modest about his success. “It’s all fun.”

Just earlier, on the other field, the Reds and Mariners were battling it out when Mariners hitter Joey Schnell sent one over the fence with two runners on base – in the first inning. He opened up a 3-0 lead over the Reds. As that game continued, Schnell would do it again and hit another over-the-fence home run. By the fourth inning, the Mariners would have a 13-4 lead. Victory was in sight. Or was it?

Joey Schnell
Joey Schnell picks up his bat after rounding the bases following his first
three-run home run.
 And the parallels continued.

The A’s had it in the bag. Or did they? Their fifth inning wasn’t looking so great. The Yankees found some momentum, found their bats and capitalized on A’s errors, running up a six-run rally and closing the gap to 12-9 A’s. Parents and supporters on both sides were anxious and excited. You have to be a baseball fan to understand this.

A’s pitcher Carson Williams closed while two Yankees runners were on base, with two outs on the board. A Yankees tie was in sight, but not likely. Williams finished the game holding onto their 12-9 advantage.

Meanwhile, on the east field, the Mariners saw their lead evaporate in the fifth inning. Their 13-4 lead evaporated into a three-run differential as the Reds found their bats and capitalized on Mariners errors. Sound familiar?

Half of the fans from the Yankees/A’s game walked over to see what was happening with the Mariners/Reds game.

The Mariners (5-1) found themselves in a parallel predicament as pitcher Josh Mansur took the mound to stop the bleeding and shut the Reds down. The Mariners, still on a high from their weekend string of victories, got it together and closed the deal, winning 13-4.

To summarize, both the A’s and Mariners each had one player hit two home runs (one grandslam) in the same game. Both saw their leads evaporate late in the game. Both teams have only lost one game. And both ended winning by three runs.

 

Jordan Geigenmiller
Jordan Geigenmiller steals 2B early in the game.

Ryan Behnke

The Majors A’s competed with the Majors Yankees at Forest Home Park Tuesday night and in the bottom of the third inning, A’s pitcher Ryan Behnke hit the ball out of the park and into 6th Avenue with bases loaded.

The A’s were ahead 8-3 and Behnke’s impressive hit opened up their lead to 12-3. Impressive. What’s more impressive is that it was his second home run of the night — and fans reported it all happened in the same inning!

Folks, anything can happen in baseball.

Congratulations, Ryan.