BUTTE, Mont. — The countdown is on for the first-ever Montana Shrine Baseball Classic, which will bring together the state’s top senior talent for a special showcase game this August in the Mining City.

The all-star event is set for Friday, August 16, and will feature graduating players split into East and West squads, giving fans one last look at some of the state’s brightest stars before they head off to college diamonds and beyond.

WEST ROSTER HIGHLIGHTS

Pitching Depth:

The West comes armed with arms from Stevensville, Polson, Florence-Carlton, Missoula Big Sky, and Troy. Names to watch include Evan Montague, Cody Evans, and Isaiah Testerman.

Infield Leaders:

Power at the corners and smooth hands up the middle headline a loaded infield that includes:

• Ryan Conklin (Whitefish) at shortstop
• Joey Wheeler (Stevensville) at third
• Atticus Southwell (Hamilton) at first

Outfield Coverage:

Plenty of speed and glove talent roam the grass with guys like Cole Germane (Stevensville), Jacob Finch (Missoula Hellgate), and Patrick Davis (Missoula Sentinel).

Head Coach:

Leading the West will be Mike O’Connell of Miles City Community College.

EAST ROSTER HIGHLIGHTS

Big Arms from Big Programs:

The East rolls in with a dominant pitching slate, including Matthew Donaldson (Butte), Killian Snarr (East Helena), and Ryder Murdock (Billings Senior). Expect velocity and sharp off-speed stuff from top to bottom.

Local Talent Watch:

Butte fans will have their hometown eyes on both Donaldson and third baseman Tocher Lee, while Will Stepan adds speed and pop in the outfield.

Skyview Pipeline:

A heavy Billings Skyview presence bolsters the East’s athleticism — Conner Smith, Camden Wilson, Paxton Fitch, and Brady Randall are all set to make noise.

Utility Weapon:

Eric Haus (Laurel) rounds out a versatile East squad that can adjust on the fly.

Head Coach:

The East is under the direction of Kyle Fultz from Dawson Community College.

WHY IT MATTERS

This new tradition gives Montana’s senior baseball class a well-earned spotlight. The Shrine Classic honors not only talent, but character, sportsmanship, and community — a true tribute to what Montana baseball stands for.

The full rosters for both teams are listed below:

West Roster

Pitchers:

Evan Montague (Stevensville), Landon Shoemake (Polson), Henry Wilson (Missoula Big Sky), Cody Evans (Missoula Big Sky), Mason Arlington (Florence-Carlton), Isaiah Testerman (Florence-Carlton), Cody Todd (Troy)

Catchers:

Avery Caton (Whitefish), Joseph Alexander (Frenchtown)

First Basemen:

Atticus Southwell (Hamilton), Justin Evans (St. Ignatius-Arlee)

Second Basemen:

Landon Ramsey (Missoula Big Sky), Drew Wagner (Florence-Carlton)

Shortstops:

Ryan Conklin (Whitefish), Bryson McCormick (Noxon-Thompson Falls)

Third Basemen:

Joey Wheeler (Stevensville), Reese Earp (Corvallis)

Outfielders:

Cole Germane (Stevensville), Hunter Harniss (Hamilton), Brody Smith (St. Ignatius-Arlee), Christian Schwaderer (Whitefish), Owen Marston (Corvallis), Jacob Finch (Missoula Hellgate), Sam Plummer (Bigfork), Patrick Davis (Missoula Sentinel)

Utility:

Elijah McNair-Neal (Hamilton), Kaden Blowers (Frenchtown)

Head Coach:

Mike O’Connell – Miles City Community College

East Roster

Pitchers:

Matthew Donaldson (Butte), Killian Snarr (East Helena), Owen Schneider (Billings West), Blake Johnson (Sidney-Fairview), Sawyer Olson (Belgrade), Gage Banks (Belgrade), Conner Smith (Billings Skyview), Nick Martin (Billings Senior), Ryder Murdock (Billings Senior)

Catchers:

Mason Sheppard (Columbus-Red Lodge-Park City), Cooper Ross (Columbia Falls)

First Basemen:

Hunter McCartney (Townsend), Jaylin Aimsback (Browning)

Second Basemen:

Chase Wise (Billings West), Ryas Olson (Belgrade)

Shortstops:

Reggie Sapa (Columbia Falls), A.J. Hill (Browning)

Third Basemen:

Tocher Lee (Butte), Marcus Lagunas (Dillon)

Outfielders:

Will Stepan (Butte), Kai Richey (East Helena), Brady Randall (Billings West), Camden Wilson (Billings Skyview), Paxton Fitch (Billings Skyview), Brady Mattson (Columbia Falls)

Utility:

Eric Haus (Laurel)

Alternate:

Jack Laxson (Lone Peak)

Head Coach:

Kyle Fultz – Dawson Community College

The Montana Shrine Baseball Classic was created to celebrate the game and recognize the character, commitment, and community values of senior athletes across the state. In addition to top-level competition, the game supports the Montana Shrine and its efforts throughout the region.

Stay tuned to Butte Sports for more coverage as the inaugural Classic approaches.

West Virginia State Parks has announced a new partnership with Youth on Course, a non-profit organization aimed at making golf more affordable for youth across the state, say state officials.

Cacapon State Park is one of three courses to be part of the pilot partnership, along with Pipestem Resort State Park and Twin Falls Resort State Park.

“We partnered with Youth on Course to provide youth affordable access to our golf courses and to stimulate their interest in the game,” said Dillard Price, Acting Chief of West Virginia State Parks. “The partnership provides young adults with an affordable opportunity to play our courses at a discounted rate. It’s about accessibility, affordability and creating lifelong players.”

Youth on Course is a nonprofit provides young people with opportunities to golf by offering rounds for $5 or less at more than 2,200 courses across the United States, Canada, and Australia.

In West Virginia, Youth on Course membership has grown significantly in recent years, highlighting the growing demand for affordable access to the game, say state officials.

“We are proud to partner with West Virginia State Parks to expand access to the sport across the state,” said Michael Lowe, Head of Impact at Youth on Course. “The addition of these courses to our membership network removes the barrier of cost – empowering young athletes to enjoy the sport, develop their skills and create life-changing opportunities.”

Organizers say since 2006, Youth on Course has provided more than 4.5 million subsidized rounds of golf for youth throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Rounds can be scheduled at each of the parks individually.

The Lakewood Gladiators lost to the Buffalo Bomb Squad 7-5 in the championship game at Darien Lake.

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In Game 1 of pool play, the Gladiators beat MMB Bandits Black 10-1.

The Gladiators got on the board in the first inning when Karson Milne drew a bases-loaded.

Wilson Genareo delivers to the plate for the Lakewood Gladiators during the Darien Lake Tournament earlier this month.
Submitted photo

Riley Lacross earned the win for the Gladiators, allowing two hits and an unearned run over 2 2/3 innings, striking out three and walking one. Wilson Genareo started for the Gladiators, allowing a hit and no runs over two innings with six strikeouts and no walks. Ryan Engquist earned the save.

The Gladiators accumulated 11 hits in the game. Milne, Engquist and Rece Card each collected two hits. Milne and Julian Jackson each drove in two runs.

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Wilson Genareo went 4 for 4 with two triples and a double as the Gladiators won Game 2 of pool play 15-1 over Underground Baseball.

The Gladiators got on the board in the top of the first inning after Genareo tripled, Broc Bryan singled down the left field line, and Gavin Darr tripled to center field, each driving in a run.

The Gladiators added to their early lead in the top of the third inning after Julian Jackson grounded out, Genareo tripled to right field, and Darr singled down the left field line, each driving in a run.

The Gladiators scored five runs on three hits in the top of the seventh inning. Genareo doubled, scoring a run, Bryan doubled, scoring a run, and Darr singled, scoring a run.

Jackson earned the win on the mound, surrendering a hit and an unearned run over three innings, striking out five and walking seven. Bryan pitched four innings in relief, allowing no hits and no runs while striking out three and walking two.

The Gladiators tallied 16 hits in the game. Darr, Jackson, Genareo and Bryan each drove in three runs. Karson Milne and Riley Lacross each collected multiple hits.

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A seven-run second inning sent the Gladiators past the Collingwood Jays 12-0 in Game 3 of pool play.

In the second inning, Drake Beckstrom, Riley Lacross and Gavin Darr each had an RBI single, Julian Jackson hit an RBI double, Wilson Genareo hit a sacrifice fly and Connor Campion drove in a run on a fielder’s choice.

Broc Bryan hit an RBI groundout in the first inning while Beckstrom and Jackson Grey hit sacrifice flies ahead of Jackson’s RBI line drive in the third inning.

Karson Milne earned the win on the mound, allowing zero hits and zero runs in two innings while striking out six. Grey tossed two innings of shutout ball, striking out four and walking three.

The Gladiators amassed 10 hits in the game. Milne and Gavin Weaver each collected two hits. Beckstrom and Jackson each drove in two runs.

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Wilson Genareo threw a complete-game seven-hitter with eight strikeouts as the Gladiators beat Prime Baseball North 3-2.

Prime Baseball North took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Gladiators took the lead as Genareo, Gavin Darr and Karson Milne hit RBI singles.

Julian Jackson and Genareo each had two hits for the Gladiators.

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Bomb Squad scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning and held off the Gladiators for a 7-5 win in the championship game.

The Gladiators got on the board in the first inning on a Gavin Darr RBI single and again in the second inning on a Wilson Genareo RBI single.

Bomb Squad took a 4-2 lead in the top of the sixth, but Karson Milne’s single in the bottom of the sixth helped the Gladiators tie the game at 4-4.

Ryan Engquist took the loss for the Gladiators. Milne started on the mound, allowing five hits and four runs (two earned) in four innings, striking out two and walking one.

Milne and Genareo each collected two hits for the Gladiators. Darr, Milne, Julian Jackson, Genareo and Riley Lacross each drove in a run.

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Wilson Genareo drove in four runs on two hits to lead the Gladiators past Nickel City 9 16-1 in recent action.

Genareo doubled in the sixth inning, scoring two runs, and hit a solo home run to left field in the fifth inning.

The Gladiators opened the scoring in the bottom of the first thanks to two singles, including an RBI single by Gavin Darr.

Three more Gladiators runs crossed the plate in the second inning to extend the lead to 6-0. Rece Card homered to left field, scoring two runs, and Genareo grounded out, scoring a run.

The Gladiators scored seven runs on six hits in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jackson Grey singled, scoring two runs, Julian Jackson drew a walk, scoring a run, Genareo doubled, scoring two runs, Broc Bryan singled, scoring a run, and Darr hit into a double play, but a run scored.

Drake Beckstrom earned the win for the Gladiators. The hurler allowed two hits and one run over six innings, striking out none and walking four.

The Gladiators tallied 17 hits in the game. Grey went 3 for 3 while Gavin Weaver, Bryan and Card each had a pair of hits.

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The Gladiators scored five runs on six hits in the top of the fourth inning to take a 6-1 lead en route to a 9-5 win over the Academy Stars.

The Gladiators were the first to get on the board in the third inning when Gavin Darr singled, scoring a run.

The biggest blow in the Gladiators’ five-run fourth inning was Connor Campion’s two-run single.

Wilson Genareo earned the win for the Gladiators, allowing five hits and four runs over five innings, striking out eight and walking five.

The Gladiators tallied 15 hits in the game. Darr, Ryan Engquist, Gavin Weaver, Genareo, Broc Bryan and Campion each collected two hits.

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Broc Bryan’s walk-off RBI single in the eighth inning gave the Gladiators a 4-3 win over Clarence.

Karson Milne homered to center field following a six-pitch at-bat, which helped the Gladiators tie the game 1-1 in the bottom of the second.

The Gladiators took the lead in the bottom of the third when Julian Jackson hit an RBI double.

Clarence took a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth inning before Jackson singled and Bryan hit the game-winning home run in the bottom of the frame.

Ryan Engquist earned the win for the Gladiators, allowing two hits and one unearned run in two innings, striking out three and walking none. Jackson started and allowed two run (one earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out five in six innings.

Gavin Darr and Jackson each collected two hits.

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Wilson Genareo drove in four runs on three hits to lead the Gladiators past Stateline Show 14-0.

Genareo hit a three-run single in the second inning and an RBI double in the sixth inning.

A single by Broc Bryan put the Gladiators on the board in the bottom of the first. A single by Genareo extended their lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the second inning. They would extend their early lead with two runs in the bottom of the third thanks to RBI walks by Gavin Weaver and Rece Card.

The Gladiators scored five runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth inning. Genareo doubled, scoring a run, Ryan Engquist singled, scoring a run, Karson Milne grounded out, scoring a run, Riley Lacross drew a walk, scoring a run and Weaver to hit into an RBI fielder’s choice.

Milne started for the Gladiators and allowed zero runs over three innings, striking out six and walking one. Engquist and Lacross each came on in relief for the Gladiators and shut down Stateline.

The Gladiators piled up 11 hits in the game. Milne, Engquist and Bryan each collected multiple hits.

13U TRAVEL BASEBALL

The Southwestern Gladiators recently won the South Buffalo Shining Stars Tournament.

The Gladiators went undefeated in the tournament.

In the championship game, the Gladiators beat North Buffalo 13-11. In the semifinals, the Gladiators beat Eden 11-0. They also defeated South Buffalo 16-5, Central Amherst 12-7 and 716 Patriots 6-4.

In the title game win over North Buffalo, Nolan Truver had three singles and three RBIs, Tage Mazzurco had three singles and an RBI, Gage Olmsted had two singles and two RBIs, Connor Devlieger had a single and two RBIs, Alexander Olson and Brysen Thayer each added a single, Austin Bushey had two RBIs, and Ethan Smrekar and Owen Walburg each had an RBI.

In the win over Eden, Bushey and Walburg each had a single and two RBIs, Olson had an RBI single, Andrew Cama had a single, Mazzurco had two RBIs, and Thayer and Devlieger each had an RBI.

In the win over the Patriots, Cama had an RBI double, Thayer had two singles and an RBI, Bushey had two singles, and Truver, Olmsted and Walburg each had an RBI single.

In the win over Central Amherst, Thayer had three singles, Smrekar had two singles and an RBI, Devlieger had a double, Mazzurco had a single and three RBIs, Cama had a single and two RBIs, and Olson, Truver and Olmsted each had a single.

In the win over South Buffalo, Cama had two singles and three RBIs, Mason Winchester had a single and two RBIs, Mazzurco and Thayer each had an RBI single, Walburg and Truver each had a single, and Noah Lindell, Bushey and Walburg each had an RBI.

On the mound throughout the tournament for the Gladiators were Smrekar, Thayer, Bushey and Olmsted.

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The Southwestern Gladiators recently split a pair of games with the Lake Erie Jr. Seawolves, tied West Seneca and lost a close game to Hamburg.

In the games against Lake Erie, Gage Olmsted had a triple, two singles and two RBIs, Tage Mazzurco had a double, two singles and an RBI, Ethan Smrekar had three singles and an RBI, Andrew Cama had two singles, Austin Bushey had an RBI single, Alexander Olson, Owen Walburg and Nolan Truver each added a single, and Brysen Thayer had two RBIs.

In the tie versus West Seneca, Smrekar had a double, a single and an RBI, Olmsted had a double and a single, Bushey had two singles and two RBIs, Mazzurco had two singles, and Thayer added an RBI.

In the loss to Hamburg, Bushey had three singles and three RBIs, Liam Olson had two singles and two RBIs, Alexander Olson had two singles, Olmsted had an RBI single, Mazzurco and Thayer each added a single, and Connor Devlieger had an RBI.

The Margaritaville Hotel and Resort has opened at the site of the former Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, Kansas, as part of a massive $800-million development project.

Developers cut the ribbon on the $150-million, 228-room hotel near 94th and State Avenue, which features indoor and outdoor pools, several bars and restaurants, and 14,000 square feet of event and meeting space.

This is one piece of the larger project anchored by the youth sports venue Homefield, which opened last year.

Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Tyrone Garner said these developments are putting the city on the map nationwide.

“Village West is gonna continue to grow and be successful and it’s all about what kind of value can Wyandotte County bring not just to the metro but to our entire nation and the heart of America,” Garner said.

The hotel is officially open for business, and guests can book a room as soon as tonight.

Up to $150 million in STAR bond funding was approved for the overall development, the same mechanism Kansas is using to potentially lure the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals over the state line.

A new domed Chiefs stadium has been envisioned not far from where the hotel opened, and Mayor Garner expressed hope that the teams are considering a move to Kansas City, Kansas.

“Well, I haven’t heard anything,” he said, “but I can say Wyandotte County is open for businesses. I’ve said it from day one, we want to do everything we can to keep the Chiefs and Royals right here in the Kansas City metro and hopefully this is an invitation for both organizations.”

The Kansas STAR bonds proposal to both teams ends in less than two weeks, offering to pay for up to 70 percent of a new stadium for the teams.

Missouri responded with an offer last week that could pay for up to 50 percent of stadium projects if they stay in the Show Me State.

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The La Pine Park & Recreation District’s office in La Pine as seen October 10. The last three district board members resigned during an emergency meeting October 9. 

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A Central Oregon lacrosse game, with players supported by Every Kid Sports (Submitted photo/Every Kid Sports).

Since the La Pine Park and Recreation District fell apart last October, the district hasn’t been able to run its own youth programs. It called on organizations like Every Kid Sports to step in and fill the gap so kids still have the opportunity to participate in sports throughout the year.

The park district’s foundation has given Every Kid Sports a $4,000 donation for local families to participate in youth sports this fall. Each participant, aged 4 to 18, is eligible to receive up to $150 after applying.

“When La Pine Parks and Rec dissolved, our organization was shocked as anybody else would be,” said Eleana Fanaika, executive director of Every Kid Sports. “Knowing it was in part because of youth sports, and that now there would be no youth sports, and our organization is founded on bringing access to youth sports, it just hit hard.”

Fanaika felt there was something her organization could do, and reached out to the park district to see how they could help. The park district’s foundation had available funding which it decided to donate to Every Kid Sports so families could participate in recreation sports.

Every Kid Sports, a national nonprofit, started in Central Oregon in 2010. Children aged 4 to 18 who receive Medicaid, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits qualify for the program. In Oregon, this includes the Oregon Health Plan.

Every Kid Sports will be at Music in the Pines, La Pine’s summer concert series, to help families with applying for sports funding this summer. The application is also available on the website starting June 23 for 30 days. A certain number of applications will be accepted each day. The application is open three times a year for fall, winter and spring sports. Most summer recreation programs are summer camps, which Every Kid Sports can’t support. The organization also doesn’t support club, elite or travel teams.

“It shows our community the demand of kids who want to play sports and that are lacking the access to do so, and so I foresee a future of the community really coming together to make sure that we continue programs like this,” Fanaika said.

Funding is provided on a digital debit card that is specifically for Every Kid Sports, which can then be transferred to any sports organization or activity kids want to participate in, whether that’s an independent dance studio or a sports program at the high school. If funding isn’t used in a season, the organization pulls it back to pay for another child the next season. Applicants can apply again even if they didn’t use previous funds. The organization has supported over 74 different sports, said Fanaika.

Every Kid Sports is also launching the Born in Bend campaign, with the goal to support 2,500 kids in Central Oregon over the next three years. The foundation’s donation was made in support of the campaign.

The park district is building back up again after it dissolved last October, said Wynn Malikowski, facilities coordinator. La Pine Sports Academy and La Pine Youth Football have also stepped up to run sports programs for kids.

“In a couple years we’ll be back on track, and hopefully running some programs ourselves,” he said. “We wanted to figure out a way that we could give back somehow, and Every Kid Sports seemed like the perfect fit….If we could make a donation strictly for the La Pine area kids and they could keep those funds for our kids, we’d love to make a donation.”

Every Kid Sports will host an in-person registration night 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. July 10 in Bend.

“Everybody gets the opportunity to choose which sport is best for their child and their family. As opposed to just one entity receiving the funding and the support, now it’ll be back to the families,” said Fanaika. “That’s what we’re going to do specifically in Central Oregon, and with this funding from La Pine Parks and Rec Foundation, we’re going to put that money right back into La Pine.”

Fanaika is excited to see how communities grow and change thanks to youth sports.

“Sports bring everybody so much joy, from playing, to spectating, coaching, organizing, wherever you’re involved it brings a lot of joy, and that’s where being on the recreation side is really focusing in on that joy and providing that to families and to kids, and at a greater level, to communities,” said Fanaika.

About Noemi Arellano-Summer

Noemi Arellano-Summer is schools, youth and families reporter at the Bulletin. She previously reported on homelessness and the 2020 eviction moratorium with the Howard Center of Investigative Journalism through Boston University. She was raised in Long Beach, California, where she started her journalism career reporting for her high school newspaper. In her free time, she can be found meandering through a bookstore or writing short stories.

She can be reached at noemi.arellano-summer@bendbulletin.com and 541-383-0325.

More by Noemi

Youth soccer is thriving in the US. According to multiple sources, every year millions of children register to play youth soccer, it is one of the most popular youth sports in the country. 

On top of the many physical benefits of playing soccer, studies show the sport improves children’s mental health, increased confidence, teamwork, communication skills and problem solving. The list of benefits goes on. 

Partnering with the Sheridan County YMCA, Century 21 BHJ will host an afternoon of soccer-themed activities, prizes, and food at the Y soccer fields. 

The YMCA and Century 21 BHJ are inviting all children to attend this celebration of one of the most popular youth sports on June 25.

YMCA Executive Director Liz Cassiday said it will be a three hour event with plenty of food and soccer themed activities for little and big athletes. Century 21 BHJ will give a new free soccer ball to every kid who attends the event, while supplies last. 

L. Cassiday

The event will begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, in the large soccer fields near the YMCA in Sheridan.