The All-Star game was played July 12 in Salt Lake. Jeff Cisneros, team manager said, “We had four guys represent Helper and do very well in the game. Brandon Branch, Matt Salas, Kyle Esquibel and Derick Anderson all participated. Derick was named the player of the game from his team. Every year we are well represented and this year was no different.
“On Monday we traveled to Murray and lost 4-2. We played a good game but did not have enough hits in the end for the win. We only had five hits as a team and we left seven players on base. Hard to leave that many guys on base in a close game and to win is near impossible. Ron Herrera pitched six great innings and really did a nice job on the mound. Ron had struggled his previous couple of times pitching but really did a nice job Monday and I was hoping we could have got him the win. The loss dropped us 8-7 in league play.
“On Tuesday we played Price and won 15-12. This was a game that we used to play everyone and get some young guys some time. We played very lazy and did not give a lot of effort. Price played with a lot of effort and it was nice to see they have gotten better as the year has gone on. We led by as many as 10 runs in the game and ended up winning as it got too dark to play the final inning.
“Wednesday we had Taylorsville at home and we were beaten 8-1. Taylorsville came in as the first place team in the league with a 12-1 record. We gave them four runs in the first inning and then played even ball with them over the next four innings as neither team could score. Kyler Edgehouse settled down after a rough start and pitched a complete game and really did a nice job. We failed to put runs on the board and stranded 10 base runners throughout the game. We are really struggling getting hits at key times and picking up runs. Taylorsville picked up four more runs late and we scored a run in the seventh but we could just not get going and the loss dropped us to 8-8.
“On Friday we traveled to Kearns for the final league game of the year. We ended league play with a 11-5 win. This was a good way to get started for the state tournament that begins July 26. Derick Anderson pitched 6 good innings and we finally got some run support. Our bats really came alive especially late in the game as we scored 10 runs over the last three innings. Hopefully this will jump start us throughout the State Tournament. The game was played at Oquirrih park and this will be the same field the tournament will be held on. I told the guys as far as I was concerned this was the first game of our tournament and we needed to start playing good baseball right now. We responded with a win and finished the league play with a 9-7 record. Overall our record heading into the State Tournament will be 17-11-1. Not the record I wanted on the year but we are back in the tournament for the 12th straight year and at this point the title will be up for grabs. If we can find our offense and play solid defense this team really has a chance to contend once again for the title. We have struggled as of late, but with our experience and talent do not count this team out from making a run next week and going to the West Regionals.
“We opened tournament play July 26 at 10 a.m. against Smithfield. Smithfield finished second in the North league and we will have to play better baseball in order to beat them. The tournament will last the entire week as it is a double elimination 16 team tournament. The winner will move on and play in Sunrise, Ariz. in the West Regional August 13-16. Oquirrih Park is the State Tournament site and it is located at 5670 South 4800 West in Kearns.
“I want to thank all the people who have supported us this year through up and down play and we want to recognize Gary Hansen for all the hard work he provided in helping get funding for the new scoreboard that is being installed at the ballpark. This new score board will be up and ready for play starting next year and sponsors who would like to display their business on the scoreboard can do so by contacting me. The Carbon County Restaurant Tax and the Kiwanis Club provided the funds for the scoreboard which cost about $12,000. I would also like to thank the many sponsors who allow us to play and continue great American Legion baseball in our area,” said Cisneros.
American Legion moves into state tourney
"Ryan Draper of Orangeville catches the ball at second and looks to first to throw for the double play."