The best of British Columbia will be coming to Oak Bay next weekend, all vying for the title of Pee Wee AAA baseball champions.
Hosting the event will be two Greater Victoria Pee Wee Eagles teams, the Carnarvon-based Black Eagles and Red Eagles. All games will be played at Carnarvon July 23 to 26.
The 12- and 13-year-old players from across Greater Victoria have been working hard through the 10-game season to earn a berth to the B.C. championships. On the line is a chance for the winner to represent B.C. in the Triple Crown San Diego Summer Sizzle 13U Tournament Aug. 8 and 9, in San Diego, CA, with the second-place team going to the Battle for the Bats 13U Tournament in Kennewick, WA.
“They have bonded very quickly and they’re all about the team, no question,” says Black Eagles manager Tyler Luchies.
“They’re a great defensive squad, they can pitch and they can all hit, one through 12. All the kids can throw an inning for us if we need them to.”
That depth bodes well for the four-day provincial tournament.
“They’ve worked hard right from the beginning of the season and they’re building their skill level to peak at provincials,” Luchies says.
Joining Luchies in the dugout is coach Harold Cull, assistant coaches Dustin Robirtis and Marty Hall, with apprentice coach Kyle Horne.
Leading the Red Eagles, which also practices out of the Saanich Peninsula’s Rotary Park, are manager Ward Bond with assistant coaches Glen Brown, Dave Berg and Gerry Burton. The Red Eagles currently stand at 5–4.
While the two teams are co-hosting the event, only one team received a bye as hosts, so in a head-to-head match-up, the Red Eagles came out on top, meaning the Black Eagles needed to earn their way in to the 10-team tournament.
With a split this past weekend, beating Kamloops 12-6 on Saturday and losing to Ladner 11-2 Sunday, the Eagles have one more weekend in league play, and the Black Eagles are currently even at 5-5, Luchies says.
A recent 6-5 over Abbotsford was especially welcome. “That put us in good shape for the provincials,” Luchies says.
“It’s amazing to be at our home park for the families and extended families and all the people who will want to come out and enjoy the event,” Luchies says.
Parent and tournament co-ordinator Kathy Baan promises lots for spectators at the park, with raffles, great ballpark fare and of course, a full weekend of competitive baseball.
“We’re really looking forward to a good
old-fashioned baseball weekend,” Baan says, commending the many volunteers from both teams and the local community.
“We appreciate any support of youth sports in the community.”
Visit the web site peeweeaaaprovincials.com for more information including schedule and results.
