One of the many joys of summer for kids and parents is being able to spend countless hours at the ball field. Many kids around the area have worked hard throughout the spring and summer months, competing for their Alpena Huron Shore Babe Ruth league and travel teams in hopes of getting to this point in the summer.

Starting this weekend, several Alpena Huron Shore Babe Ruth all-star teams will travel to Niles to compete in the state tournaments.

“We have a great group of coaches that will be representing Alpena Huron Shore Babe Ruth. We hope the teams can continue to play quality baseball and show good sportsmanship at the state tournament,” AHSBR president Bob Kollen said.

The action will begin today as the 8U team opens up play against Brandywine (2) at 2 p.m. Alpena will follow that up and finish the day with a 4 p.m. game against Brandywine (1). The team will finish up pool play when they take on Clinton Valley at 10 am tomorrow and face Howard at 6 pm.

The 9U all-stars will play just one game today against Howard at 6 pm. They will then play two more games tomorrow against Clinton Valley at 8 am and Brandywine at 2 pm to wrap up pool play.

The 10U all-stars will be the only team not in action today as they will have two games tomorrow against Howard at noon and Brandywine at 4 pm.

The 11U begin play today against Howard at 4 pm and will later take on Macomb in game two at 6 pm. The team will resume play tomorrow against Brandywine at 4 pm, with the top two teams in pool play advancing to play in the championship game on Sunday.

“We have a very competitive group that has been playing together for the last two years,” 11U coach Neil Seabase said. “We’re hoping to have a lot of fun and bring home some hardware. It’s nice to get some exposure at the state level and play some good competition. We have a good program and we’re going to try and continue our success this weekend and beyond,” Seabase said.

The Alpena 12U all-star team will also do battle tonight as they play Macomb at 8 pm in their first and only game of the day.

The team will complete pool play tomorrow when they play Brandywine at 2 pm and Howard at 8 pm in their quest to getting to the championship game on Sunday.

“We are one of the only teams that were put together in the last two weeks. Most of our team is made up of non-travel ball players,” 12U coach Tim Potter said. “I’d like to see the kids win, but more importantly to have fun. I keep telling them to enjoy the experience of playing in a state tournament, because not many kids get this chance. This will definitely open their eyes to some of the other talent around the state and we’ll see how they compare. All I can ask for is them to relax, have fun and do their best,” Potter said.

All five teams will be in action in a weekend full of baseball at the state tournament level and each team has hopes of continuing their season by bringing a state title back home.

“We have enjoyed great success over the last several years with state championships at several age groups and we hope to keep this up,” Kollen said.

Jonny Zawacki can be reached via email at jzawacki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5690.