Russia’s Francis Phlipot celebrates a 2 RBI double in the bottom of the first inning. (Press Pros Feature Photos By Julie McMaken Wright)

Marion Local’s U13 learned the hard way that tournaments produce more losers than winners. But at the Minster Classic, a balanced approach between a passion for winning and a love for playing makes it worth competing every year, win, lose or draw.

VPP, in Versailles, Ohio, proudly sponsors baseball on Press Pros Magazine.com.

Minster, Oh – Two opposing ideologies are poisoning youth sports – The Minster Classic offers rare relief from both.

The first and more prevalent lie is that the score doesn’t matter, and medals are earned by playing, not by winning. It permeates rec leagues where improvement isn’t a priority, and correction is discouraged in the name of “letting the kids have fun.” It produces underdeveloped players who can’t handle criticism, and crumble under pressure when they grow to an age where winning matters.

Alan Brads is a contributing columnist and writes sports at large for Press Pros Magazine.

The second lie is that winning is all that matters, and a kid’s value and identity can be summed up by their statline and the final score. At elite travel tournaments, instant criticism replaces “good effort” postgame. Maybe the exorbitant fees make parents feel like an L is a wasted paycheck, and the only way to recoup their losses is a car ride rant, or worse, a public humiliation of a kid in front of his friends. The result? Players who lose their love for the game before they even try out for varsity.

But in Minster, Ohio, and many surrounding communities, they walk the tightrope like seasoned circus performers, balancing the passion for winning and the love for playing with uncommon grace.

At the Minster classic, winning matters, and you won’t hear a coach or parent say otherwise. Not every team advances into the knockout stage.

Marion Local’s Homan was tagged out at home plate.

Marion Local’s 13U team dropped a second game in the group stage on Saturday. They left Saturday with no plans for a return journey, no trophy, and no medals. They probably didn’t want one; they’d rather come back and earn it next year.

Jackson Schroeder played left field for Marion Local, and had a hit that was one of few bright spots in an 11-0 run-rule loss to Russia’s U14 team.

“I saw that he gave me my pitch,” Schroeder said. “I like it inside more, I just pulled it … When they’re at their level, when they give you one you can hit, you gotta go get it.”

Despite a second blowout loss, Schroeder said he was glad to have played in the tournament, and looked forward to coming back next year, bigger, stronger, and better.

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“It’s just fun,” Schroeder said.“My favorite part has just been playing with my teammates. We have a lot of memories here. You can lean on them and they’ll be there for you in the worst of the worst and the best of the best.”

In the other dugout, Russia’s starting pitcher Eli Shappie celebrated a big win that clinched the #1 seed. Shappie struck out four and gave up two hits in the four innings of play.

Russia’s offense wouldn’t be denied, amassing nine hits and for 11 runs in three innings.

“I was just able to throw strikes,” Shappie said. “When I throw strikes it helps me because then my off-speed works. Command and control is my priority. I’m not the hardest of throwers, so if my off-speed and command is working, it’s easy to pinpoint pitches.”

Shappie said his favorite part of the tournament was a late comeback win against New Bremen, a reminder that while baseball can always be fun, winning multiplies the enjoyment.

Russia’s Julius Monnin also contributed three hits, three RBI’s and two runs in the big win.

Schroeder didn’t wear the same postgame smile Shappie and Monnin did, because winning matters, but he didn’t hang his head or sulk his way out of the dugout either, because he’s learned there’s more to baseball than Russia: 11 Marion Local: 0.

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That lesson was instilled years ago at the Minster Classic and beyond into Addi Inskeep, a recent Minster graduate and First Team All-American in softball. Saturday morning at the softball fields, the games briefly paused to honor her award. They asked her to offer a piece of advice to the kids, and she told them to have fun and cherish these moments playing with their friends.

Marion Local’s Jack Winner started the game on the mound before moving to second base.

And that’s coming from the best of the best. Most players could never be an All-American, but every player can enjoy playing with their friends.

The Minster Classic’s rarely accomplished balancing act renews hope that there are communities of parents and coaches doing youth sports the right way. And it yields results. It produces high school athletes who, when in the spotlight, win with humility and lose with dignity.

The attitudes instilled from the get-go are what make Marion Local’s Football team a lovable dynasty, which are few and far between in this era. They make Diana Kramer and her volleyball teams at New Bremen well-regarded and respected across the state. They make basketball coach and Army recruiter Babe Kwasniak say, “If World War III breaks out, I’m going straight to Russia High School.”

It all starts with youth sports done well – with winning and with losing at the Minster Classic.

Russia’s Oliver Armstrong slides home for the Raiders fifth run in the first inning.

Marketing Essential proudly supports coverage of the Minster Classic on Press Pros Magazine.com

By John Robbins | Butte Sports

The medals are shining. The bats were hot. And the hearts? Bigger than ever.

This week, two Butte squads — the Copper City Allstars and the Mile High All Stars 10s — reminded us what this community is made of: grit, pride, sportsmanship, and unity.

Both teams delivered dominant performances in tournament play, earning hardware and spotlighting the rising stars of Butte’s baseball and softball future.

Copper City Allstars

No. 2 Seed | Western Regional Tournament in Missoula

Next Game: Tuesday at 12 p.m.

The Copper City girls fought through a grueling weekend slate, finishing pool play at 5-3 and closing strong with a 16-0 blowout win over Oregon District 8, securing the No. 2 seed heading into Tuesday’s bracket.

Taylor Regan paced the offense with a 3-for-4, 4-RBI, 4-stolen base performance. Brit Klima knocked in 5 runs. Mattie Stepan, Allie Becker, Cliry Conway, Kendallyn Schad, and Lilly Sandoval each tallied multi-hit games, while Aspen Shaffer and Savannah Stosich teamed up for a one-hit shutout in the circle.

But what stood out most wasn’t just the stat sheet. It was the yellow ribbons.

Before the game, the Allstars tied yellow bows in their hair to honor their teammate and fellow Copper City player, Grace Underwood, who wasn’t on the field but remains deeply part of the team’s spirit.

Grace, this one’s for you. Butte is proud of you — and proud of them.

Copper City Allstars Roster

• Taylor Regan
• Brit Klima
• Mattie Stepan
• Allie Becker
• Cliry Conway
• Kendallyn Schad
• Lilly Sandoval
• Aspen Shaffer
• Savannah Stosich
• Izzy Stepan
• Aubree Connors
• Harper Cooney
• Grace Underwood (in spirit and support)

Mile High All Stars 10s

District 2 Champions | State Hosts (July 25–27)

The Mile High 10s were making plenty of noise of their own — going 3-0 to capture the District 2 title and earning the right to host the Montana State Tournament next weekend in Butte.

They outscored their opponents 54-10, steamrolling through Americans, Anaconda, and MJWSLL.

Standouts included:

• Kobin Kujawa – 4-for-4 with 5 RBIs in the championship game; 7 Ks in 2.2 IP
• Beau Benski – Complete game 1-hitter with 7 Ks; added 5 RBIs vs. MJWSLL
• Chase McQueary – 4 runs scored in title game and 6 Ks in relief
• Cade Salo – Perfect 3-for-3 vs. Anaconda with 5 Ks on the mound
• Odin Dixon, Clay Salo, Case Chambers, Hudson Clary, Jaxon Bair, Rhett Johnson, Hunter Liston, and Cash O’Connor – all contributed clutch hits, smart base running, and strong defense.

Mile High All Stars 10s Roster

• Kobin Kujawa
• Beau Benski
• Cade Salo
• Chase McQueary
• Odin Dixon
• Clay Salo
• Case Chambers
• Hudson Clary
• Jaxon Bair
• Rhett Johnson
• Hunter Liston
• Cash O’Connor

More Than Just a Game

What unites both of these teams is bigger than stats. It’s the character, the class, and the camaraderie they show — not just in the wins, but in the way they carry themselves.

From yellow ribbons to dugout chants, Butte’s young athletes reminded everyone this week that they don’t just play for the name on the jersey — they play for each other.

We’ll be covering both tournaments as they unfold. Until then, let’s pack the stands, wave the flags, and show these teams how much Butte is behind them.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lee Seung-jun, a 47-year-old retired professional basketball player who represented South Korea internationally. His words have been edited for length and clarity.

A mix of my American dad’s height and my Korean mom’s identity took me places — literally.

I was born in the US and grew up as Eric Lee Sandrin, but after moving to Korea and giving up my US passport, I became Lee Seung-jun.

I went on to play professional basketball and on the Korean national team. Both sides of my family shaped me in different ways.

Settling down in Seattle

My dad is 6-foot-7 and played basketball through college, then later for the Army team. He met my mom while stationed in Korea. After completing his service, they moved to Washington state to settle down. My dad loved the mountains, and my mom liked being closer to Korea.

My younger brother and I were raised in the suburbs of Seattle, although we often spent summers in Korea.

Over the years, we started bringing other members of the family to the US, my grandmother, uncles, and aunts. Little by little, almost all of them ended up moving to the Seattle area, opening up small businesses like grocery stores and karaoke bars, similar to other Korean immigrants in the area.

In between cultures

At school, we were usually the only Asian kids in class. At home, everyone looked like us. It created a constant push-pull: Korean at home, American outside.

At school, kids would say, “Are you guys Chinese?” And we’d say, “No, it’s a different country.” And they would say, “Oh, Japanese?”

When we visited my dad’s family in Michigan, our cousins didn’t know what we were; they hadn’t seen people like us in the Midwest.

My mom worried about prejudice, so we didn’t grow up speaking Korean. She wanted us to be American first, even as she struggled to learn English herself.

Court vs. classroom

I started shooting hoops when I was around six. In our early teens, we’d just head to the park and play. It wasn’t until high school, when coaches started sending letters and offering scholarships, that I thought, “Wow, I might actually get to play basketball in school.”

I ended up enrolling at the University of Portland, and later, after a knee injury, transferring to Seattle Pacific University — I played for both of the schools’ teams.

After graduating, I got a teaching certificate and lined up a job teaching at a high school.

Change of plans

Then I chose basketball instead.

My mom thought I was throwing it all away. My brother was planning to be a lawyer, and she had dreams of bragging about us to her coffee group.

But by then, basketball had become my life, my brother’s too.

When I didn’t make it to the NBA, I started building an international career, including a brief stint with the Harlem Globetrotters. I was still chasing the NBA dream when a Korean agent suggested I try out for teams in Korea.

I suggested that my brother go first. He loved it and told me, “You have to come.” So I did.

To play for the South Korean team, I had to give up my US citizenship. My dad, a military vet, wasn’t happy. He reminded me that family members had died fighting for the US. He thought it was rash.

But after we talked it through, he understood. For me, it was about finding a better opportunity, just like his grandparents had done when they came from Italy.

Restarting in Korea

When I arrived in Seoul, I had just turned 30. At first, Korea felt familiar. The faces and food reminded me of my mom. But once I got deeper into the culture, I realized how different I was. I didn’t speak the language and hadn’t done military service.

Basketball practice in Korea felt like military training. We practiced four times a day: 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 4 p.m., and 8 p.m.

That’s also when I started realizing just how many unspoken rules there are in the Korean language and culture.

I remember one of my first practices, I walked in, sat down, and started lacing up my shoes. I was sitting in the head coach’s chair, but I had no idea that was a big faux pas.

So I was sitting there when the coach walked in. I went, “Oh, what’s up?” I didn’t even greet him properly. I didn’t know any of this stuff. The whole team was like: “How can he be so rude? How does he not know this?”

That moment really pushed me to start learning the unspoken rules and study the language.

I eventually changed my name to Seung-jun, a name crafted with my mom’s help. It means “beautiful victory,” and links to my brother’s name Dong‑jun — he grew up as Daniel.

When I was growing up in the States, my grandma used to talk to us for hours, but we could hardly understand her.

After learning to speak Korean, it was like meeting my grandma for the first time. I could actually talk to her and understand what she was saying.

Off the court, still in the game

In 2017, I retired, although I knew I wanted to stay in Korea. It felt like home.

The healthcare system is amazing. My wife, who’s half-Korean, half-Romanian, is also a basketball player and is still playing.

A year after retiring from basketball, before my brother eventually got a green card and moved back to the States, we started Prism Hoops Academy. The youth sports company is focused on making sports fun for kids. In Korea, education is intense and regimented. Our goal was to create a space where kids could just play.

I’m now running the school with Im Won‑jun, another Korean American who, funnily enough, also grew up in Seattle.

We offer basketball, soccer, and chess. It’s not about drills or perfection; our goal is just helping kids build positive memories.

Coaching young kids has become a real passion of mine, and my plan is to go back to school for a higher degree in education or administration.

So it looks like my mom will get her teacher after all.

Got a personal essay about moving abroad that you want to share? Get in touch with the reporter: akarplus@businessinsider.com.

U10 GIRLS

SRS Building Products defeated Dog Moms 2-0.

Goals were made by Isabella Nails and Novaleigh Moreno.

——

SRS Building Products won over Kaczar Collision 2-0.

Isabella Nails scored both goals for Falconer.

SWSC U8

Vivenne Babcock, Liam Zambotti and Cadan Carter scored a goal apiece to lead Blue Stedman Energy to a 3-0 win over Blackstone.

Greyson Gaeta led the way defensively for the winners, who had Axyl Fraley in goal.

——

Keppel Crew defeated Dave Warren 4-0.

Goal scorers for Keppel Crew were Nolan Jenkins with three goals and Cameron MacIntyre with one goal.

Keppel Crew’s standout defender in the game was Mason Osborne.

——

Stedman Energy beat Miles Machine 3-1.

Tyler Pineda scored twice and Cadan Carter scored once for Stedman Energy. Greyson Gaeta was the top defender and Axyl Fraley was the top goalkeeper for the winners.

JAYS U8

Rodgers Land Surveying beat Honest John’s 4-0.

Goal scorers for the Rodgers Land Surveying were Niko Knight with two goals, as well as Rocco Yarber and Isaac Anderson with a goal apiece.

Goalkeepers for Rodgers Land Surveying were De’Vontae Cottom, Niko Knight, Remy Robles and Isaac Anderson.

Goalkeepers for Honest John’s were Aurora Caldwell, Preston Fusco-Allette, Emme Johnson and Elliot Panebianco.

——

Trophy House beat Fessenden, Laumer & DeAngelo 4-2.

Goal scorers for Trophy House were Jordy Berg with three goals and Max Meyer with a goal.

Goal scorers for Fessenden, Laumer & DeAngelo were Elliot Rodriguez and Westen Reeves. Goalkeepers for Trophy House were Mylo Crawford, Jaylen Mitchell, Olivia Michael and Naomi Anderson.

Goalkeepers for the Fessenden, Laumer & DeAngelo were Carson Spare, Jaelani Santiago Arroyo, Elliot Rodriguez and Amelia Guzman.

——

AFSCME Local #418 beat The Post-Journal 2-0.

Goal scorers for AFSCME Local #418 were Makeira Martinez and Moise Mulonda.

Goalkeepers for AFSCME Local #418 were Colten Martin, Evan Anderson, Taylyn Hannold and Abagail Becker.

Goalkeepers for The Post-Journal were Jackson Constantino, Mikey Paterniti, Indy Hall and Cameron Overbeck.

——

Pearl City Cycle tied Lena’s Pizza 0-0.

Goalkeepers for Pearl City Cycle were Alvie Peterson, Eden Langworthy, Emmy Madden and James Brinson.

Goalkeepers for Lena’s Pizza were DJ Figueroa, Amiah Benitez, Norah Cruz and Julius George.

——

Rodgers Land Surveying beat Trophy House 3-1.

Goal scorers for Rodgers Land Surveying were Niko Knight with two goals and Ze’Vontae Cottom with one goal.

Jordan Berg scored a goal for Trophy House.

Goalkeepers for Rodger’s Land Surveying were Liam Waite, De’Vontae Cottom, Ze’Vontae Cottom and Remy Robles.

Goalkeepers for Trophy House were Vince Robbins, Jordan Berg, Grayson Dossey and Emily Billquist.

——

Honest John’s beat The Post-Journal 1-0.

Leo Bell scored the goal for Honest John’s.

Goalkeepers for Honest John’s were Addy Anderson, Armani Cruz, Jerrica Plachotnik and Emme Johnson.

Goalkeepers for The Post-Journal were Aryan Tellinghuisen, Jackson Constantino, Indy Hall and Layla Sprague.

——

AFSCME Local #418 topped Pearl City Cycle 3-1.

Makeira Martinex scored all three goals for AFSCME Local #418.

Nathan Southard scored the goal for Pearl City Cycle.

Goalkeepers for AFSCME Local #418 were Taylyn Hannold, Scarlet Dawson, Silas Basdeo Jr. and Evan Anderson.

Goalkeepers for Pearl City Cycle were James Brinson, Elin Fagerstrom, Christ Fish and Alvie Peterson.

——

Fessenden, Laumer & DeAngelo tied Lena’s Pizza 1-1.

Eli Rodriguez scored the goal for Fessenden, Laumer & DeAngelo.

DJ Figueroa scored the goal for Lena’s Pizza.

Goalkeepers for Fessenden, Laumer & DeAngelo were Jackson Wyant, Amelia Guzman, Colton Glover and Logan Delahoy.

Goalkeepers for Lena’s Pizza were Graham Ferguson, Gino Guevara, Amiah Benitez and Esai Holmes.

JAYS U6

Texas Orange beat Red 2-0.

Elias Foust and Emersyn Weaver scored for orange.

Goalkeepers were Nahla Kercado, Nico Yarber, Emerson Weaver and Lainey Fagerstrom.

Goalkeepers for Red were Zoey Isaman, Damoni Wilcher, Tayleigh Sanchez and Talula Whitmore.

——

Carolina Blue beat Forest Green 4-0.

All four goals were scored by Zyan Anderson.

Goalkeepers for Carolina Blue were Zyan Anderson, Avery Ferrara, Ne’Kyle Taylor Jr. and Elaina Stafford.

——

Neon Yellow beat Black 3-0.

Tommy Lisciandro scored twice and Colton Davidson scored once for Neon Yellow.

Goalkeepers for Neon Yellow were Reyna Snow, Sophia Cardone, Amelia Snow and Mason Canby.

FAYS U6

The Post-Journal beat Dole Studio 8-1.

Goal scorers for The Post-Journal were Talon VanOrd and Baylor Horton.

Everett Ingrao was the scorer for Dole Studio.

——

Dole Studio tied Southern Tier Family Dentistry 3-3.

Goal scorers for Dole Studio were Hadley Morgante and Everett Ingrao.

Amelia Clark and Blake Spicer scored for Southern Tier Family Dentistry.

Skinner and USA Basketball captured FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup gold – the fourth straight for the United States – by way of an 88-76 victory over Australia, while Sowah and the Australian Opals secured their first FIBA Women’s Asia Cup title after dispatching Japan, 88-79.

Sowah helped Australia surge to a 5-0 mark and lock down the automatic berth to the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026, set to take place in Berlin, Germany. She appeared in all five games for Australia and averaged 6.6 points in 9.5 minutes per contest. Sowah opened the event with back-to-back games in double figures, pouring in 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting against the Philippines, then netting 10 points versus Lebanon.

Skinner aided the red, white and blue to an unblemished 7-0 record at the U19 Women’s World Cup, which saw the United States extend its win streak to a record 28 straight games with victories over China, France, Hungary, Israel, Korea and Spain, in addition to Australia. Skinner saw action in all seven tilts for the United States putting up 5.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. The Providence, Utah product posted highs in points (11), rebounds (6) and steals (4) against Korea and in assists (5) versus China.

FIBA 3×3 Nations League 2025 – Americas 2 (July 21-27)

Rising senior Emma Koabel and Team Canada are slated to tip FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League 2025 Americas 2 competition, which is set to take place July 21-27 in Punta Arenas, Chile. Koabel and Canada get Americas 2 action going with stop 1, which features games against the United States (2:30 p.m. ET) and the Cayman Islands (3:20 p.m. ET) July 21.

Koabel, a product of Port Colborne, Ontario is set to make her third appearance with Team Canada, most recently competing as a member of the 2023 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup squad that earned the bronze medal. She also played on Canada’s 2021 U19 team that finished fifth at the Women’s World Cup.

Along with Koabel, the Canadians’ six-member women’s squad – led by head coach Dianna Ros – includes Rebecca Demeke (Toronto, Ont.), Marah Dykstra (Vancouver, B.C.), Alphonsia Eleko (Montreal, Que.), Gage Grassick (Prince Albert, SK) and Mackenzie Smith (Shelburne).

All FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League 2025 games will stream live on YouTube each day via the FIBA 3×3 YouTube Channel. 

To stay up to date with Duke women’s basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the YouTube channel by searching “DukeWBB.”

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