Babe Ruth teams to travel to regionals

By Michael Butler

Tallassee will send two all-star teams in its Babe Ruth League to the Southwest Regionals this weekend. The 13-year-old stars are off to Demopolis. The 15-and-under team will be in Childersburg.

The 13-year-old team returns to the site of the state tournament won by the host team West Alabama. Tallassee's squad lost 9-8 in the state championship game. Both teams will represent Alabama in the regional.

Tallassee's 15U pitcher Adam Burton Photo by Kyle Thornton

The Tallassee 15U team hosted the state tournament reaching the semifinals. They lost to the eventual champion Sylacauga 3-2 after beating them 10-0 in pool play. The Southwest Regional is an open invite tournament. Given the competitiveness of the local team in the state tournament and proximity to Childersburg, Tallassee opted in with some coaxing to their head coach.

The 15U players called coach Stephen Webster asking if they could play on.

"I've never had a group of kids that seemed so eager to learn and get better," Webster said. "I want to give them the opportunity to come back to show what they're really made of by taking them to regionals."

Tommy Wisener is the skipper of the 13-year-old group.

"I'm excited about going to the regional tournament," Wisener said. "It will be a great experience for the kids. I really do think we have a shot."

The two teams scrimmaged last week with each team's pitchers pitching to their own teammates. The game ended in a 2-2 tie after seven innings.

13-Year-Old Bracket
15U Bracket

Tallassee's 15U All-Stars Front row (left to right): Hagan Lewis, Jacob Patterson, Arthur "3J" Woods, Brady Mason, Adam Burton, Cash Gough. Back row: Chase Webster, Ethan Mask, Blake Smith, Cade Everson, Bry Hathcock, Jake Hornsby.

Tallassee's 13-Year-Old All-Stars Front row (left to right): Brody Wisener, Mason Henderson, Jack Butler, Hutson Lewis, Avery Brantley. Back row: Konner Taunton, Xander Johnson, Brody Smith, Baylor Clayton, Slade Carlton, Luke Chandler.