Blair Grizzlies, Blair Cubs and an Arlington baseball team competed together in Blair on Saturday and Sunday at the Youth Sports Complex.
The age 9 and younger tournament was contested on Wederquist Field as well as Healthy Human Field. The Grizzlies Orange opened pool play against Arlington, while the Blair Cubs — who ultimately won the event — competed against an Ashland team to start.
The Grizzlies Purple, meanwhile, played against ABA Lincoln to open its run. Teams from Wayne and Nebraska City also participated, according to the Grizzlies' Nick Swaney.
“With four county teams it is exciting,” the organizer said prior to the tourney. “We don't often get all those groups together.”
The Cubs went 3-1 altogether, while Arlington and the Purple Grizzlies team finished 2-1 in tourney play. The Grizzlies' Orange squad was 0-3.
Baseball and softball is taking over the Youth Sports Complex during the coming months. Blair Little League and Blair Youth Softball Association (BYSA) Modified season games will be the norm after the Little League season starts May 6.
Additionally, BYSA tournaments are currently set for May 3-5 (BYSA May Open), May 17-19 (Gary Baker Invite), May 31-June 2 (BYSA Classic) and June 9 (There's No Place Like Home 8U).
Youth baseball notes
Cubs update: In addition to the 9U team's tournament win, the age 14 and younger Blair Cubs won a tourney in York. The 12U Blair squad finished second during the weekend in Fremont, too, while the 8U Purple squad started its season Tuesday at Zimmerman Field.
Little League season: President Ryan Greenwood confirmed a May 6 start date for the season with games Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with T-ball on Fridays. Games regularly begin at 5:30 and 6 p.m.
Bambinos start 1-0: The Blair Bambinos 14U squad opened its season 1-0 Sunday with an 11-3 win against the DC West, according to GameChanger. The Bambinos play in an Elkhorn Athletic Association (EAA) league and host games at Hardy Field. Arlington and Fort Calhoun youth teams also compete in EAA leagues.
