Babe Ruth tourney set for Thursday

Youth baseball is winding down across the Hi-Line, but this weekend in Havre, another tournament will take center stage.

Thursday-Sunday at Legion Field will be the home of the Havre Youth Baseball Association Babe Ruth baseball tournament, where teams from Havre, Chinook and Rocky Boy will all vie for the championship.

In attendance will be Northern Montana Hospital (9-2), Optimist (8-3), Wells Fargo (7-4), Chino0k (1-7) and Rocky Boy (0-

6) .

Game one of the tournament begins at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday with Wells Fargo taking on Chinook.

And then game two will begin at 7:30 p.m. when Optimist will face Rocky Boy.

Northern Montana Hospital earned a first-round bye, but on Friday will take on the winner of game one at 5:30 p.m. Friday will also have a 7:30 p.m. game where the losers of game one and game two will meet.

The rest of the weekend's matchups will be determined as games are won and lost, leading up the championship game at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. A challenge game will also be played on Monday at 6 p.m. if necessary.

A year ago Northern Montana Hospital earned the No. 1 spot in the tournament, while Optimist finished in second and Wells Fargo in third. This time around Northern Montana Hospital is looking for a repeat championship, while Optimist and Wells Fargo hope for an upset.

All three teams have won and lost to each other this season.

"Whoever plays the best between those teams has a chance at winning," Doug Denny said.

"Who knows with those teams?" Chinook and Rocky Boy are also hoping to make a push for a top spot this weekend.

This is the first year in Babe Ruth in Chinook, and though they have only one win they are a dangerous team. And though Rock Boy has no wins, they too always make it hard for teams come tournament time.

"Rocky Boy always comes in tough," Denny said. "They always come in with a losing record, but really play the upsetters.

And Chinook, they are a very young and talented team." Play at Legion field will begin with game one of the tournament at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday when Wells Fargo takes on Chinook. Game two will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday when Optimist will face Rocky Boy.

Northern Montana Hospital earned a first round bye, but on Friday will take on the winner of game one at 5:30 p.m. Friday will also have a 7:30 p.m. game where the losers of games one and two will meet.