PEA RIDGE — Cheers from fans from across the region raised throughout the weekend at the baseball fields on Weston Street as 13 T-ball teams of 5- and 6-year-old T-ball players faced off in the state tournament eventually won by Van Buren Gray against Bentonville White in the final game.

Intense sunshine was punctuated with showers. Rain Saturday didn’t dampen the spirits of the players and fans, but did postpone some games until Sunday. Action began Friday and culminated with the presentation of trophies Monday afternoon.

Play began Friday with pool play as teams played for spots in the finals.

Pea Ridge was hosting the tournament. The two Pea Ridge teams - Pea Ridge Red and the DirtDiggers - were eliminated in the first round of finals.

“Pea Ridge has the best volunteer and community spirit,” Rob Featherston, assistant director of Southwest Regional Commission, as to the selection of Pea Ridge to host the tournament. Featherston, of Bentonville, said the southwest region covers Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana and Mississippi. The Cal Ripkin Division of Babe Ruth Baseball is for 4- to 12-year-olds. Teams competing in were from Pea Ridge, Bentonville, Batesville, Gravette, Siloam Springs, Van Buren and Johnson County. The winners of the tournament will advance to tournament play in Sherwood.

“Pea Ridge puts on the best tournament. They have the best volunteer base we have in northwest Arkansas,” Featherston said. “There are other cities with better facilities, but Pea Ridge is second to none with volunteers.”

The volunteers - parents of players - run the score booths, work the concession stand, maintain the fields, collect gate fees, clean the bathrooms and stands.

“They ensure the players and fans have an enjoyable experience,” Featherston said.

“The hamburgers are the best here,” one umpire said.

Rob Chalfant, tournament director, concurred with Featherston, adding that Pea Ridge always has someone in the press box announcing the games.

“We’re honored to be able to host the T-ball tournament,” Darin Wright,president of Pea Ridge Youth Baseball, said. “We hope we’ll be able to host it again next year.”

Hosting the tournament brings revenue into the local league.

PEA RIDGE T-BALL ALL-STARS 2010

PEA RIDGE RED

Marcus Nobles

Cooper Tillman

Samuel Tillman

Joe Adams

Mark Burkett

Gracelyn Hissong

Mac Bowen

Brandt Bowen

Logan Stewart

Trevor Blair

Hunter Anderson

Chase Cook

Coaches: Tim Tillman, Landon Nobles,Marty Adams, Clint Bowen, Jerry Cook

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PEA RIDGE DIRT DIGGERS

Tyler Reid

Evan Anderson

Donavin Kester

Will Anderson

Zach Ingram

Tyler Quam

Brayden Foster

Jackson Jones

Coaches: Jimmie and Aimee Anderson, Chris Jones, David Reid, Damon Anderson

Sports, Pages 7 on 07/07/2010