SPORTS: Port Angeles softball team bound for Babe Ruth World Series

PORT ANGELES — After all its hard work of fundraising and practicing almost every day, the North Olympic 16U Babe Ruth softball team is on its way to the World Series.

At the end of a lot of picture-taking, farewells and smiles, the Port Angeles team left from the Swain’s General Store parking lot in a bus late Tuesday afternoon to spend the night in Seattle.

Players, coaches and some parents fly today to Varina, Va., to participate in the 10-team World Series.

There, the work really starts for the team, as well as some fun.

Port Angeles, the Pacific Northwest representative, plays three games in the first two days, including two contests the first day Thursday.

North Olympic plays four games in pool play in a bid to finish in the top-three of its five-team National Division pool and earn a berth in the double-elimination tournament.

Port Angeles plays in the first game of the tournament, taking on Pacific Southwest at noon PDT on Thursday.

Just five hours later, a probably tired Port Angeles team then plays host team Varina at 5 p.m. PDT in Game 2.

It will be the final game of the day and Varina’s first contest in the tournament.

Next, Port Angeles plays New England at 1 p.m. PDT Friday. The area team concludes pool play Saturday at noon PDT against Ohio Valley.

North Olympic then gets a bye and sight-seeing day on the final day of pool play Sunday.

The American Division has teams from Middle Atlantic, Midwest Plains, Southeast, Southwest and the Virginia state champion.

The top three teams from each division face off in a double-elimination tournament starting Monday and ending Aug. 12 with the World Series championship game.

Port Angeles plays three games even before the opening ceremonies, which are scheduled for Friday at 4:15 p.m. PDT at Dorey Park in Varina.

This is the ninth time in 10 years that Port Angeles has played in the 16U Babe Ruth softball World Series.

Three of those teams have come back with fourth-place finishes. The 2006, 2002 and 2001 teams all tied for the best finishes in Port Angeles history.

North Olympic went to the World Series from 2001 to 2008 before missing last year’s tournament.

But now that they’re back they hope to make some noise again, according to coach Warren Stevens, who has coached five of the World Series teams.

More in Sports

Civic Drone
Courtesy Eric Johnson
Teams line up on the Civic Stadium diamond for the Northwest Washington Cal Ripken State Championships' opening ceremony Wednesday evening. Port Angeles is hosting the championships for the first time in 20 years. Organizers expect the event to draw between 1,500 and 2,000 visitors, including families, coaches and officials.
LEFTIES: Ninth inning cruel once again to Lefties

A continued lack of late-inning luck sent the Port… Continue reading

Port Angeles High School senior cheerleaders, from left, Madison Bishop, Addisen McNeece, Melia Webber and Jack Root have been invited as All-America cheerleaders to participate in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii, from Dec. 3-8. To help the group raise funds, call 360-461-0812.
Matthew Nash/
Olympic Peninsula News Group
Riders with the Tour de Lavender will travel to eight lavender farms, including Victor’s Lavender Farm along Old Olympic Highway. The 2025 edition is set for Aug. 2.
ODT BENEFIT: Peninsula Trail’s Coalition’s Aug. 2 Tour de Lavender bike outing seeks volunteers

Peninsula Daily News SEQUIM— The Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC) is seeking volunteers… Continue reading

Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News
Port Angeles' Tyler  Shulman gets a base hit with his turn at the plate in the first inning.
LEFTIES: Victoria drops Port Angeles with big first inning

Lefties/YMCA T-Ball Camp registration underway

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Wilder Junior's Hunter Tennell bats against Kingston on Saturday in Port Angeles.
AMERICAN LEGION: Wilder Junior sweeps, extends winning streak to 13

Wilder Junior stretched its winning streak to an impressive… Continue reading

wilder BAseball Club
AMERICAN LEGION: Wilder Senior caps off tournament with shutout

The Wilder Senior Baseball Club capped off a successful Spokane/Coeur… Continue reading