Karen Boehler
CCSR writer/editor
Last weekend it was basketball.
This weekend high school baseball is in town, as the 11th annual Sunrise Optimist baseball tournament kicks off Friday at 9 a.m. at both NMMI Field and Joe Bauman Stadium, and continues through Sunday afternoon.
“We should have a quality tournament going,” said Optimist spokesman Scott Hicks.
With last year’s seniors off to bigger and better things, the tourney will include incoming freshmen through seniors, giving fans a chance to see what next spring’s teams will look like.
“It just kinds of depends on who’s available, and the coaches like to use the younger kids anyway, because this kind of stuff give them practice where it doesn’t count for a season, but it sure helps them in their development,” Hicks said.
Besides Roswell and Goddard — the only local teams participating — competitors include AA state champ Eunice; AAA Socorro; AAAA Artesia; and AAAAA state runner up Rio Rancho, Eldorado, Carlsbad, Hobbs and Mayfield.
Each team is guaranteed five games — a doubleheader each day with a bracketed game Sunday — and Hicks that that chance to see a lot of action is what draws the teams to Roswell.
“What they like is the five games they’re guaranteed,” he said. “That’s what really draws them to this tournament.
After Friday’s and Saturday’s games — which begin at 9 a.m. each morning at both NMMI and Joe Bauman — Sunday will pit the Pool A No. 5 team vs. the Pool B No. 5 team and so on, with the top two teams playing for the tournament championship at 2 p.m. at NMMI Field.
“The two top teams from each group will play the championship game on Sunday, and hopefully one of the local teams, or both, will be in it,” Hicks said.
Baseball fans are encouraged to come out to one, or both, of the fields to cheer their favorites on. There is no admission fee, and the Optimists will have concession stands at both fields for fans and players.
For more sports news, go to Chaves County Sports Report