Along with raising money, the team went go-karting, and, of course, practised for the seven-team provincial tournament, being hosted by Kerrisdale.
鈥淲e鈥檒l have a little fun, and hit the ballpark,鈥� said Beacon Hill manager Dave Clark, whose team will be up against host Kerrisdale, Dunbar, Forest Hills, White Rock, Trail and defending champ Hastings for the sa国际传媒 title.
The winner gets a trip to Glace Bay, N.S., for the Canadian championship, with the ultimate goal the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
Beacon Hill rolled through the District 7 championship undefeated, after surviving a scare from Layritz in the final. With the game 1-0 in the fifth inning, Beacon Hill got the bats going and took a 5-1 lead. Layritz, however, stormed back, and had the tying run at the plate in the sixth.
鈥淟uckily, we got some timely hits,鈥� Clark said. 鈥淚t could have gone either way.鈥�
Timely hits and good pitching are going to be crucial, as well as shedding the early jitters. Having some veterans will help. This week will be catcher Dawson Clark鈥檚 fourth go-round at provincials 鈥� including 9-10 tournament team experience 鈥� and the third time for first baseman Ben Mulchinock, third baseman Sean Young and shortstop Nico Ingebrand.
鈥淲hen we get over there, the first few days they tend to be in awe of the other teams. Then after a few games they go, 鈥楬ey, they鈥檙e 11- and 12-year-olds, just like us.鈥�
鈥淭he key is not to be out of it by then.鈥�
Last year, appearing in the Major provincials for the first time in their history, Beacon Hill made it to the semifinals. Definite underdogs, the team was holding their own against White Rock, until the fourth inning. They were down 5-3 when a Victoria outfielder had a catch go awry. The ball hit him in the face, taking out his front teeth.
鈥淭here was a lot of blood and tears, and we never really recovered,鈥� Clark said. 鈥淚t was a real turning point in the game.鈥�
This year the main turning point for all the teams could well be their ability to juggle pitching over seven days of competition. With the strict Little League rules regarding innings pitched and rest days, Clark figured nearly every player would pitch at some point.
鈥淏y the third or fourth game, you鈥檙e pitching kids that might never have thrown a pitch in a provincial championship,鈥� he said.
In the end, Clark, whose team opens play Sunday at 3 p.m. against Dunbar, just hopes the kids will thrive on experiencing the level of the competition, fun events such as the home run derby, and staying in the hotel with the teams.
鈥淭hose will be memories they鈥檒l have for years to come.鈥�
The round-robin portion of the tournament wraps up July 26, with the semifinal slated for noon and 3:30 p.m. on July 27. The final goes July 28 at 2 p.m.
