Governor proclaims July 19 All Stars Day
|
|
July 17, 2013 |
 |
Idaho Governor Butch Otter has officially
proclaimed July 19, the day the state champion
Boundary County Yankees begin play in the U-13
Intermediate Little League Northwest Regional
tournament in Irvine, California, as Idaho
Intermediate Little League All Stars Day.
To see the full proclamation,
click here.
"WHEREAS, congratulations to the
Boundary County Little League All Stars
(Yankees) for winning the inaugural Intermediate
Little League All-Star State Championship by
beating the North Boise Little League All-Stars
18-17, and representing Idaho as the Idaho
Intermediate All Stars at the Western Regional
Tournament," the proclamation begins, then names
individually each of the team's players, with
one error; it names Coach Cal Bateman as a
player instead of his son, Brady.
"Whether out on the baseball field or in the
community, I encourage players, coaches and
parents to display good sportsmanship,
remembering that you represent the state of
Idaho," Otter wrote.
Coach Bateman and every member of the team are
amazed and overwhelmed by the attention now
focused on their incredible season, the first
ever in Little League Intermediate Division
play.
"Wow, that is amazing ...very cool," Cal wrote
on receiving the Governor's proclamation. "I
continue to be blown away by this whole thing."
Some of the team went directly to Irvine, where
they'll take on California District 55 at 12:30
p.m. Friday, the rest of the team left Bonners
Ferry at 4 a.m. today to rejoin the team.
The trip requires a lot of cash, and the amount
of support the team has received, Bateman said,
has been incredible.
In a letter to Newsbf shortly after the Yankee
win Sunday (see
Letters),
he wrote, "After the awards ceremony the
President of North Boise Little League, Richard
Rene, grabbed the microphone and after several
nice words about our team, challenged all the
North Boise parents to open their wallets and
check books and help send us to California. We
sat there in awe as parents, coaches, and fans
handed us money...when all was done they had
donated right there on the spot $535 dollars to
help fund our trip. We could not believe it ...
A HUGE THANK YOU to North Boise Little League
...you have no idea how much your kindness and
generosity has meant to us."
The Northwest Regionals pits this small-town
team from Bonners Ferry against the best teams
from the western United States, divided into two
pools; Pool 1 includes Idaho, Arizona, Hawaii,
Oregon and California District 55. Pool 2
includes Nevada, northern California, Southern
California, Washington and Montana, and
play lasts through the championship game to be
played on Friday, July 26.
To follow the action,
click here.
The winner of that game will go on to play in
the Little League World Series in Livermore,
California, beginning July 30.
Those who'd like to keep this dream alive can
donate to the Boundary County Little League Fund
at any Panhandle State Bank branch in North
Idaho. For those outside of the bank service
area, call 1-888-275-3434 to make arrangements.
Everyone's help is much appreciated. |
|
Questions or comments about this
article?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
