18U Championship - Sunday August 2nd

Birmingham Southern College
Game One Underway
Bama Bombers Scout - 2
Bama Bombers Senior Team - 4

18U Championship - Sunday August 2nd

Rain that has plagued the tournament all week once again rained havoc on the tournament yesterday and force tournament officials to take steps to shorten the play due to travel and school starting next week. Three teams remained in the elimination round with the Bama Bombers Senior team in control of the winners bracket. Tournament officials decided to conduct a best two out of three coin toss for loser's bracket representative team to play for the championship against the Bama Bombers Senior team. After discussions with parents the Cape Coast Canes decided to forfeit and travel home today. A coin toss was conducted last night between the Bama Bombers Scout team coach and the Louisiana Allstar 18U coach with the Bama Bombers Scout team winning the toss. So, it will be a rematch of the two teams in the finals. The two teams met in pool play with then again in the championship round with the Senior team coming out on top both times, but with more at stake today and a little pride with bragging rites it should be a good game. The Scout team will be forced to win two from the Seniors to claim title.

Barring more rain today the first game is scheduled to begin today at 1:00 PM at Birmingham Southern College.

Co-Champions in 17U Championship - Bama Bombers Juniors and Chain Gold

Literally one out away from sealing an outright title the Bama Bombers Junior team's luck ran out as a lightning bolt off in the distance caused the plate umpire to suspend play and placed players in dugouts. Then, ten minutes later the clouds unloaded the rain that has plagued the tournament all week in Birmingham. The young Bombers squad lead Chain Gold 6-1, but after tournament officials met with coaches team agreed to a co-championship due to school and church commitments today.

Another thing both sets of coaches agreed upon was the MVP - Wes Kent of the Bama Bombers was a standout all week and immediately upon asking all agreed. Kent batted over .500 for the tournament with one HR and several doubles, made several highlight real type plays on defense and even though not a pitcher was the winning pitcher of record in the rained out game. He easily he was the MVP of the 2009 17U World Championship.

The young Bama Bombers squad should be able to make another run next year, since all are 2011 and 2012 graduates. But, likely the equally talented Chain Gold team will have something to say about it again next year.

18U Championship - Saturday August 1st

11:30 AM - Birmingham Southern College
Allstar 18U - 4 vs. Mid-Atlantic Pirates - 3
Allstar 18U advances to play winner of Oklahoma Travelers/Bama Bombers Scout.
Mid-Atlantic Pirates are eliminated.

2:00 PM - Birmingham Southern College
Bama Bomber Scout - 4 vs. Oklahoma Travelers - 3
Bama Bomber Scout team advances to play Allstar 18U at 4:30 PM.
Oklahoma Travelers are eliminated.

18U Championship - Saturday August 1st

The 18U Championship is running 2 hours behind after a morning pop-up shower at Birmingham Southern. First round games should begin at 11:30 AM. Here is a tentative schedule for today:

1. 11:30 AM - Mid-Atlantic Pirates vs. Allstar 18U (elimination round)
2. 2:00 AM - Oklahoma Travelers vs. Bama Bombers Scout (elimination round)
3. 4:30 PM - Cape Coast vs. Bama Bombers Senior (winner's bracket)
4. 7:00 PM - Winner of Mid-Atlantic Pirates/Allstar 18U and Oklahoma Travelers/Bama Bombers Scout

Sunday, Championship Games

1. 9:00 AM - Elimination round game
2. 12:00 PM - Winner's Bracket winner vs. Loser's bracket winner
3. 3:00 PM - If needed

17U Championship - Saturday August 1st

Championship round is on schedule at Samford University.

9:00 AM - Samford University
Chain Black - 13 vs. Alabama Heat - 6
Chain Black advances to play the Bama Bombers Junior at 11:30 AM.
Alabama Heat is eliminated.

12:00 AM - Samford University
Bama Bombers Junior - 11 vs. Chain Black - 6
Bama Bombers Junior advances to play in Championship game at 3:00 PM against Chain Gold.
Chain Black is eliminated.

3:00 PM - Samford University
Bama Bombers Junior - 8 vs. Chain Gold - 5
Bama Bombers Junior force another game to determine 17U Championship.

17U Championship - Friday July 31st

2:15 PM - Samford University
East Cobb Indians - 6 vs. The Force - 4 (completion from yesterday's rain-out)
East Cobb Indians advance to play Chain Black at 3:20 PM at Samford University
The Force is eliminated.

4:30 PM - Samford University
Chain Black - 12 vs. East Cobb Indians - 6
Chain Black advances to play the winner of USAthletic/Alabama Heat at 9:00 AM at Samford Saturday morning.
East Cobb Indians are eliminated.

6:00 PM - Samford University
Alabama Heat - 6 vs. USAthletic - 2
Alabama Heat advances and will play Chain Black tomorrow at 9:00 AM at Samford.
USAthletic is eliminated.

8:30 PM - Samford University
Chain Gold - 8 vs. Bama Bombers Junior - 5
Chain Gold advances to championship game at 3:00 PM on Saturday.
Bama Bombers Junior drops into the losers bracket and will play the winner of the Alabama Heat and Chain Black game at 12:00 PM.

17U Championship - Friday July 31st

Games at Samford are running about one hour behind due to the morning storm. Here is a tentative schedule:

1. 1:00 PM - East Cobb Indians vs. The Force (complete game beginning in the fifth inning)
2. 2:00PM - Winner of East Cobb Indians / The Force vs. Chain Black
3. 4:30 PM - USAthletic vs. Alabama Heat
4. 7:00 PM - Bama Bomber Juniors vs. Chain Gold

Tentative Saturday schedule:

1. 9:00 AM - Winner Game 13 vs. Winner Game 14
2. 12:00 PM - Winner Game 16 vs. Loser Game 15

Tentative Sunday schedule:

1. 12:00 PM - Championship Game
2. 3:00 PM - Championship Game 2 if needed

Games Cancelled at Birmingham Southern College For Friday

Rain has caused all Friday, July 31st games scheduled at Birmingham Southern College to be cancelled. Schedule will resume Saturday at the same times that were scheduled for Friday.

All bracket games will be moved one day with championship on Sunday.

This does not affect games at Samford! Games at Samford are playing, but are running about one hour behind at the present.

All Too Familiar Scene This Week in Birmingham, Alabama

Tarps and rain have been a common scene in Birmingham, Alabama this week as staff try to schedule games. Teams enter the third round of the championship double elimination bracket play. Games today (Friday) have been set back an hour at Birmingham Southern College (18U Championship), but are on schedule at Samford University (17U Championship).

17U Championship - Friday July 31

Friday's Games at Samford

10:00 AM - Completion of Game 10 - East Cobb Indians - 4 vs. The Force - 2 in top of 5th inning.
11:00 AM - Chain Black vs. Winner of East Cobb Indians / The Force
1:30 PM - Alabama Heat vs. USAthletic
4:00 PM - Bama Bombers Junior vs Chain Gold
6:30 PM - Winner Game 13 vs Winner Game 14

18U Championship - Friday July 31

Friday's Games at Birmingam Southern College

9:00 AM - Mid-Atlantic Pirates vs. Allstar 18U
11:30 AM - Oklahoma Travelers vs. Bama Bombers Scout
2:00 PM - Cape Coast Canes vs. Bama Bombers Senior
4:30 PM - Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10

17U Championship - Thursday, July 30

9:00 AM - Samford University
Chain Black - 7 vs. Allstar 17U - 5
Chain Black advances in winner's bracket and will play the Bama Bombers Junior team at 4:30 PM at Samford.
Allstar drops into loser's bracket and will play again at 2:00 PM at Samford.

9:00 AM - Spain Park High School
Chain Gold - 12 vs. East Cobb Indians - 6
Chain Gold advances in the winner's bracket and will play USAthletic at 7:00 PM at Samford University.
East Cobb Indians drop into loser's bracket and will play an elimination game against The Force/Baton Rouge Raiders at 2:00 PM at Spain Park High School.

11:30 AM - Samford University

Alabama Heat - 6 vs. Texas Mojo - 4

Alabama Heat advances to play Allstar 17U at 2:30 PM at Samford.

Texas Mojo eliminated.

11:30 AM - Spain Park High School

The Force - 11 vs. Baton Rouge Raiders - 3

The Force advances to play the East Cobb Indians at 2:00 PM.

Baton Rouge Raiders eliminated.

2:00 PM - Spain Park High

East Cobb Indians - 4 vs. The Force - 2

(Game suspended in top of 5th & will be completed Friday at 10:00 AM at Samford)

2:00 PM - Samford University

Alabama Heat - 13 vs. Allstar 17U - 9

Alabama Heat advances to play loser of Game 12 Friday at 1:30 PM.

Allstar 17U eliminated.

4:30 PM - Samford University

Bama Bombers Junior - 4 vs. Chain Black - 2

Bama Bombers advance in the winner's bracket to play Chain Gold at 4:00 PM Friday at Samford University.

Chain Black drops to loser's bracket to play winner of East Cobb Indians / The Force game at approximately 11:00 AM Friday at Samford University.

7:00 PM - Samford University

Chain Gold - 12 vs. USAthletic - 4

Chain Gold advances in winner's bracket to play the Bama Bombers Juniors at 4:00 PM Friday at Samford University.

USAthletic drops into loser's bracket to play the Alabama Heat at 1:30 PM Friday at Samford University.

18U Championship - Thursday, July 30

9:00 AM - Birmingham Southern College
Allstars 18U - 6 vs. Baton Rouge Raiders - 5
Allstars advance in loser's bracket and Baton Rouge Raiders eliminated.

11:30 Am - Birmingham Southern College
Bama Bombers Scout - 14 vs. Allstar 17/18U - 4
Bama Bomber Scout team advances and will play again tomorrow at 9:00 AM at BSC.
Allstar 17/18U is eliminated.

2:00 PM - Birmingham Southern College
Cape Coast Canes defeated the Oklahoma Travelers (score unknown at this time)
Cape Coast Canes advance in the winners bracket to play the Bama Bombers Senior at 2:00 PM Friday at Birmingham Southern College.

4:30 PM - Birmingham Southern College
Bama Bombers defeated the Mid-Atlantic Pirates to advance in the winner's backet and will play the Cape Coast Canes at 2:00 PM Friday at Birmingham Southern College.

Thursday, July 30 - Overnight Rain Delays 9:00 AM Games

Heavy storms last night and into the early morning has delayed the 9:00 AM games this morning.

• Spain Park 1 is running one hour late at the present time.
• Samford University is running 20 minutes late at the present time.
• Birmingham Southern is running 15 minutes behind.

Games scheduled at 11:30 AM will remain as scheduled with hopes of gaining time during the day. Teams should show up on time.

Rain Hampers Day One of Championship Rounds

Rain hampered the first day of Championship play, but games resumed around noon at two locations. Here are the results:

18U Championship

Wednesday, July 29
G1 - Oklahoma Travelers - 9 vs Baton Rouge Raiders 18U - 0
G2 - Allstars 18U - 1 vs Cape Coast Canes - 2
G3 - Mid-Atlantic Pirates - 7 vs Allstar 17/18U - 6 (10 innings)
G4 - Bama Bombers Scout - 2 vs Bama Bombers Senior - 6

Tomorrow's games - Thursday, July 30
G5 - 9:00 AM - Baton Rouge Raiders vs. Allstar 18U at BSC
G6 - 11:30 AM - Allstar 17/18U vs. Bama Bombers Scout at BSC
G7 - 2:00 PM - Oklahoma Travelers vs. Cape Coast Canes at BSC
G8 - 4:30 PM - Mid-Atlantic Pirates vs. Bama Bombers Senior


17U World Championship

Wednesday, July 29
G1 - Allstar 17U - 7 vs. Baton Rouge Raiders - 4
G2 - Chain Gold - 8 vs. Texas Mojo - 3
G3 - Alabama Heat - 1 vs. Bama Bombers Junior - 11
G4 - USAthletic - (winner by forfeit) vs. The Force

Games on Thursday, July 30
G5 - 9:00 AM - Allstar 17U vs. Chain Black at Samford
G6 - 9:00 AM - East Cobb Indians vs. Chain Gold at Spain Park 1
G7 - 11:30 AM - Texas Mojo vs. Alabama Heat at Samford
G8 - 11:30 AM - Baton Rouge Raiders vs. The Force at Spain Park 1
G9 - 2:00 PM - Winner Game 7 vs. Loser Game 5
G10 - 2:00 PM - Winner Game 8 vs. Loser Game 6
G11 - 4:30 PM - Bama Bombers Junior vs. Winner Game 5
G12 - 7:00 PM - USAthletic vs. Winner Game 6

Wednesday Game Changes

All games have changed for Wednesday due to rain. Here is the schedule as it stands at 8:30 AM:

18U Championship

Wednesday, July 29
G1 - 12:00 PM - Baton Rouge Raiders vs. Oklahoma Travelers at BSC
G2 - 2:30 PM - Allstar 18U vs. Cape Coast Canes at BSC
G3 - 5:00 PM - Allstar 17/18U vs. Mid-Atlantic Pirates at BSC
G4 - 7:30 PM - Bama Bombers Senior vs. Bama Bombers Scout at BSC

Thursday, July 30
G5 - 9:00 AM - Loser G1 vs Loser G2 at BSC
G5 - 11:30 AM - Loser G3 vs. Loser G4 at BSC


17U Championship

Wednesday, July 29
G1 - 12:00 PM - Allstar 17U vs. Baton Rouge Raiders at Samford
G2 - 12:00 PM - Chain Gold vs. Texas Mojo at Spain Park 1
G3 - 2:30 PM - Alabama Heat vs. Bama Bombers Junior at Samford
G4 - 2:30 PM - USAthletic vs. The Force at Spain Park 1
G5 - 5:00 PM - Winner G1 vs. Chain Black at Samford
G6 - 5:00 PM - Winner G2 vs. East Cobb Indians at Spain Park 1

Thursday, July 30
G7 - 9:00 AM - Loser G2 vs. Loser G3 at Samford
G8 - 9:00 AM - Loser G1 vs. Loser G4 at Spain Park 1

A decision will be made by 11:00 AM to cancel all games today. If they are cancelled a new schedule will be posted for Thursday.

Championship Seeding

18U Championship

1. Oklahoma Travelers (3-0 / RA-3 / RS-20)
2. Bama Bombers Scout (2-1 / RA-11 / RS-12)
3. Mid-Atlantic Pirates (2-1 / RA-17 / RS-19)
4. Bama Bombers Senior (1-2 / RA-14 / RS-16)
5. Allstar 18U (1-2 / RA-15 / RS-24)
6. Cape Coast Canes (1-2 / RA-27 / RS-14)
7. Allstar 17/18U (0-3 / RA-19 / RS-11)
8. Baton Rouge Raiders 18U (0-3 / RA-25 / RS-13)

17U Championship

1. Chain Baseball Black (3-0 / RA-5 / RS-25)
2. East Cobb Indians (3-0 / RA-6 / RS-6)
3. USAthletic (2-1 / RA-5 / RS-24)
4. Alabama Heat (2-1 / RA-15 / RS-20)
5. Bama Bombers Junior (1-2 / RA-15 / RS-17)
6. The Force (1-2 / RA-20 / RS-14)
7. Chain Baseball Gold (1-2 / RA-21 / RS-8)
8. Allstar 17U (1-2 / RA-25 / RS-25)
9. Baton Rouge Raiders (0-3 / RA-33 / RS-10)
10. Texas Mojo (0-3 / RA-37 / RS-16)

Day Two of Pool Play Ends with Rain

Day two of pool play ended with afternoon games being cancelled due to rain. Each team will be seeded with their first three games and bracket play will begin tomorrow morning, weather permitting. Here are the results of today's games:

17U Championship
Chain Gold - 0 vs USAthletic - 7
Alabama Heat - 10 vs Texas Mojo - 5
Bama Bombers Junior - 3 vs USAthletic - 4
The Force - 3 vs Texas Mojo - 5
East Cobb Indians - 9 vs Baton Rouge Raiders - 4
Chain Black - 9 vs Allstar 17U - 2

18U Championship
Mid-Atlantic Pirates - 3 vs Bama Bombers Senior - 11
Baton Rouge Raiders - 5 vs Bama Bombers Scout - 6
Allstar 18U - 13 vs Cape Coast Canes - 8
Allstar 17/18U - 2 vs Oklahoma Travelers - 5
Bama Bombers Senior - 3 vs Bama Bombers Scout - 1
Mid-Atlantic Pirates - 7 vs Baton Rouge Raiders - 5

Day One of Pool Play

Day one of pool play is behind us. Internet issues hindered our postings yesterday, but hopefully will be eleviated today. Two front runners jumped out in the 17U Championship that look like teams to beat. The East Cobb Indians played well, as did the Chain Black team. Both have talent and could emmerge from pool play as the front runners.

In the 18U division the teams that stood out were the Oklahoma Travelers, Mid-Atlantic Pirates and the Louisiana Allstar 18U. All three have the talent to make a run at the championship. Below are yesterdays scores as we have them at 6:30 AM Tuesday morning.

17U Championship
USAthletic - 1 vs East Cobb Indians - 3
Texas Mojo - 2 vs Chain Black - 10
Baton Rouge Raiders 17U - 4 vs Bama Bombers Junior - 8
Allstar 17U - 6 vs The Force - 7
Chain Gold - 7 vs Bama Bombers Junior - 6
Alabama Heat - 9 vs The Force - 4
USAthletic - 16 vs Baton Rouge Raiders 17U - 2
Texas Mojo - 9 vs Allstar 17U - 17
East Cobb Indians - 8 vs Chain Gold - 1
Chain Black - 6 vs Alabama Heat - 1

18U Championship
Bama Bombers Senior - 2 vs Cape Coast Canes - 3
Bama Bombers Scout - 1 vs Oklahoma Travelers - 5
Mid-Atlantic Pirates - 4 vs Allstar 18U - 3
Baton Rouge Raiders 18U - 8 vs Allstar 17/18U - 9
Bama Bomber Senior - 3 vs Allstar 18U - 8
Bama Bombers Scout - 5 vs Allstar 17/18U - 1
Cape Coast Canes - 3 vs Mid-Atlantic Pirates - 12
Oklahoma Travelers - 10 vs Baton Rouge Raiders - 0

2009 BEST 17U & 18U World Championships Begins Monday

The 2009 B.E.S.T. 17U & 18U World Championships begin at 9:00 AM Monday morning in Birmingham, Alabama. Games will be played at Samford University, Birmingham Southern College and Spain Park (F1 & F2). Pools will be determined by drawing Sunday night at the coaches meeting and will be posted shortly afterward. Continue coming back for updates.

B.E.S.T. 16U World Championship Begins Tomorrow

The 2009 B.E.S.T. 16U World Championship begins tomorrow in Memphis, Tennessee. Teams from many of the southeastern states will be there and the field of teams looks to be competitive again this year. There is a 2:30 PM coaches meeting today at First Tennessee Fields, then teams will visit the Memphis Redbirds for a game before starting play at 8:00 AM tomorrow morning.

You may follow the tournament at http://www.gamedaybaseball.com/Default.aspx?tabid=237&View=EventDetails&EventId=27&returnurl=%2fTournaments%2f2009BaseballTournaments%2ftabid%2f237%2fDefault.aspx and also through the blogger.

New Blog for Tournament Postings

Come back beginning the weekend of July 9-11 for the Auburn Invitational.