The American Legion Baseball season has begun in Vermont, and the teams representing Brattleboro Post 5 and Bellows Falls Post 37 are both off to strong starts.
• Brattleboro opened the season with a 9-2 record, 9-0 in league play. Their two losses came last Saturday, when they were swept by Greenfield, Mass., at Tenney Field. Post 5 lost the first game, 12-0 in six innings due to the 10-run rule, and lost the second, 6-3.
Since it was a non-league match-up, the Greenfield doubleheader gave Post 5 coach Eric Libardoni a chance to do some experimenting with the lineup and give some of the younger members of the team some playing time.
In the first game, Ben Betz was the starting pitcher for Post 5 and gave up three runs in the first and four more runs in the fourth inning. He was lifted in the sixth inning after giving up four more runs, and Chris Lasch finished up the inning.
Brattleboro was held to only four hits in the first game, including a double by Sam Ognenoff. In the nightcap, Dan Petrie had two hits and drove in one run for Post 5. Tanner Bell and Dillon Green divvied up the pitching chores and finished with two strikeouts apiece.
• With a doubleheader sweep of Rutland Post 31 on Sunday, Bellows Falls is off to a 6-1 start against league competition. Post 37's only loss came against Hartford on June 23.
In the first game against Rutland, Post 37 rallied to win, 4-3. Zac Streeter was the winning pitcher, with Josh Woods earning a save. Bellows Falls won the second game, 8-6, as Streeter had three hits and two RBIs and Austin Stack drove in two runs. Garritt Andrews was the winning pitcher, and Woods came in to pick up another save.
• There are seven teams in the Southern Division this year - Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, Rutland, Bennington, Randolph, Hartford, and Lakes Region (Fair Haven and Poultney). Teams will play each other three times for a total of 18 league games.
Brattleboro and Bellows Falls have yet to face each other. They had a game scheduled for June 28 at Tenney Field, and two games to close out the regular season on July 15 and 19 at Hadley Field. The state tournament is set to begin on July 23-28 at Castleton University.
Little League 11-12 All-Stars prep for playoffs
• The start of the Vermont Little Playoffs is just around the corner and, as usual, it begins with a best-of-seven series with Bennington for the District 2 title.
The series begins Saturday, July 9, at 4 p.m., at South Main Street Field. Game 2 in in July 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Bennington. Game 3 is July 12 at 6 p.m. in Brattleboro. Game 4 is July 14 at 6 p.m. in Bennington. Game 5, if necessary, will be July 16 at 1 p.m. in Bennington, with Game 6 at 1 p.m. in Brattleboro. A coin flip will determine the site of Game 7, which will be played July 19 at 6 p.m.
These players selected to the All-Star roster: Alex Bingham, Alex Carpenter, Turner Clews, Tristan Evans, Elias Gradinger, Sam Henry, Huxley Holcombe, Zinabu McNeice, Jack Pattison, Aaron Petrie, Magnus von Krusenstiern, and Caden Wood.
Win or lose, Brattleboro is the host site for the state tournament.
'Glove, Sweat & Cheers: Safe at Home' softball tourney is July 9
• The 22nd annual “Glove, Sweat & Cheers: Safe at Home” women's slow-pitch softball tournament will be held Saturday, July 9, at Living Memorial Park in Brattleboro.
“Glove, Sweat & Cheers” is a fundraiser for the Women's Freedom Center, and teams from around New England will vie for top honors in this double elimination tournament. Games will be played on both upper and lower fields beginning at 8:30 a.m. Updated schedules will be posted at each field.
The softball tournament switched to a one-day tournament format in 2015 and, according to event volunteer Cyndi Cain Fitzgerald, the new format was a big hit, particularly with out-of-town teams. She said it was so successful, the 2016 tournament will host the largest number of teams in many years.
Volunteers will be grilling and selling food at the upper field. Concessions stands offering tournament merchandise, 50-50 raffle tickets, snacks and beverages will be open at both fields.
Cain Fitzgerald said the tournament is a family friendly event, with no entrance fees for spectators. The Memorial Park swim area will be open for those that need to cool down and the park has several playgrounds for kids of all ages.
Founded in the early seventies, The Women's Freedom Center's mission is to end domestic and sexual violence against women and children by providing support to survivors and education for the community. Their services include a 24-hour hotline, shelter for women and children, legal and medical advocacy, community outreach and education. All services are free.
Last year's Glove, Sweat & Cheers tournament generated nearly $4,000 for the Women's Freedom Center, Cain Fitzgerald said, and organizers hope to surpass that total this year. If you would like to volunteer at the tournament, contact glovesweatcheers@gmail.com for more information. If you can't attend, consider making a donation directly to the Women's Freedom Center at P.O. Box 933, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or by calling 802-257-7364.
11th annual Tour de Grace is July 9
• The 11th Annual Tour de Grace Bicycle Rally on Saturday, July 9. The 17.7-mile, mostly downhill course from Stratton Mountain Resort to Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend is scenic and family-friendly.
Riders start at Stratton Mountain anytime between 8 and 10 a.m., and ride at their own pace to Grace Cottage Hospital. Bus transportation is provided to return riders and bikes back uphill to Stratton. Or, if you prefer, ask about parking at Grace Cottage and taking the bus up the mountain first, then riding down. Average ride time is about two hours.
Volunteers will be stationed along the route from Stratton Mountain to Grace Cottage Hospital with free beverages, snacks, and maybe even musical entertainment! Free performance t-shirts will be given to the first 100 riders who sign up.
Registration is $25 in advance, $30 after July 5. You can register at the event. Sturdy tires recommended; helmets required. Information, route description, and online registration are available at www.gracecottage.org/events or call 802-365-9109.
Pick-up lacrosse on Mondays in Brattleboro
• Coming back for the second year in a row, the West River Park will be the site of men's lacrosse pick-up games on Monday nights at 6 p.m. Participants should bring their own gear, although some equipment is available as well. High schoolers and adults are all welcome.
The games started on June 27 and will continue through Aug. 8 (excluding July 4). The cost is $20 for the summer. This is hosted by the Brattleboro Silver Eagle Lacrosse Club. For more information, see the Facebook group Bratt LAX, or email jill@globalcow.com with questions.