The Southeast Region champion and state runner-up Arlington Babe Ruth Storm Black 10-under All-Stars are set to begin play in the Babe Ruth World Series, scheduled for Aug. 8 through 18 in Crown Point, Ind.
Arlington will be one of 25 baseball teams competing in the Cal Ripken Division of the Babe Ruth World Series. The Storm Black will be in Pool 5 with five other teams, each playing four pool-play games starting Aug. 10. After that, bracket play begins Aug.14.
In order, Arlington’s pool-play are Vincennes, Ind., Aug. 10 at 12:15 p.m.; a team from the Czech Republic on Aug. 11 at 12:15 p.m.; Wenatchee, Wash., on Aug. 12 at 2:30 p.m.; then against Southwestern, Ky., Aug. 13 at 4:45 p.m. Vincennes has a \n 18-11-1 record. Wenatchee is the Pacific Northwest Region tournament champion, winning that title with a 4-2 record.
The top three teams in each pool advance to the championship playoff bracket. The other two play in a consolation bracket.
"We've had a longer than usual break for us to play games, but we've had two good weeks of practice and we've done some fun stuff," Storm manager Dave Juza said. "We feel good about our chances to be competitive. We will try to put players in the best positions possible to succeed."
Juza said all 12 players on the team will attend the World Series and are healthy.
Teams check in Aug. 8, with a skills competition the following day.
The Storm Black won the region with a 5-0 record, including comeback victories in their two playoff-round games. In three pool-play games, Arlington outscored its opponents, 31-5.
Prior to the region, the team finished 5-1 in the state tournament.
Overall, the Storm Black enter the World Series with a 19-12 record against all competition.
Players for the Storm Black are Connor Bristow, Bruce Buczek, Bryce Donnelly, Sean Duckett, Dexter Hinkle, Flynn Juza, Chase Langley, Teddy LeCompte, Christian Tallent, Hudson Wilkins, Matthew Ryan and Ryan Potter.
