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Greater Loudoun peaking as World Series nears
Greater Loudoun Babe Ruth's lengthy process of placing on the diamond the most prepared group of 13-year-old local baseball players possible is nearing a close.The forming of the Babe Ruth 13U World Series host team started last September with nearly 100 players trying out for the squad.
The Greater Loudoun Lions' official roster of three coaches and 15 players has long since been set, and the host team is now just days away from its opening World Series game – Aug. 17 at Fireman's Field in Purcellville.
“At this point, we are playing a lot better than we were at the beginning of the season,” Greater Loudoun manager Mike Lockhart said.
“The key to our success in the tournament will be pitching, throwing strikes and being able to make the routine plays and eliminate the one big inning. Hitting wise, we'll be fine.”
The Lions have won about 70 percent of their 60-plus games leading up the World Series, including claiming the title at the Elite Championship Tournament Baseball July 4th Blast in Reading, Pa.
“We've done very well recently in some tournaments we've played in,” Lockhart said. “The team won the tournament in Reading. We were 3-1 in a tournament in Myrtle Beach. We have one more tournament leading up to the World Series.”
Greater Loudoun will host nine other teams in the Babe Ruth World Series. Those nine squads will consist of eight regional champions from across the country and the Virginia State champion.
The teams will be split up into two, five-team divisions and compete in pool play Aug. 17-21. The top three teams in each division after pool play will compete in a single-elimination bracket Aug. 22-24 until a champion is determined. All games will be played at Fireman's Field in Purcellville.
Look for a detailed preview of the Babe Ruth 13U World Series in the Aug. 15 edition of the Loudoun Times-Mirror.
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