Indians win local Little League title

By Sam Waller

For the second year in a row, the Indians won the Albany Little League’s Majors title as the youth baseball program begins wrapping up its season.

League organizer Paul Hamilton said there are still three rainouts to be made up if scheduling conflicts can be addressed.

“The district tournament was moved up a week earlier,” Hamilton said. “We’re trying to make the games up at the end of this week or the beginning of next week.”

The Eagles Majors and Minors teams still had two games against Haskell with each city to host one date. The Reds Majors and Minors have a game remaining with Cisco.

“We scheduled a 13-game season this year when we normally go with 12,” Hamilton said. “Even if we don’t get these games in, it’s been a very successful year. You have to get 10 games in to qualify for all-stars, and we did that.”

The District 5 tournament began Tuesday, May 23, with four Albany teams in three age divisions hosting games in the County Bracket. In the Minors, the Indians played Clyde 1 and the Eagles took on the Jim Ned Hawks. In Majors, the Oilers hosted Clyde 2, while the Intermediate team played the Haskell Bluecats.

The Majors and Minors finals in the single-elimination bracket were to be played Thursday, May 25 (tonight), with the Intermediate final on Saturday, May 27. County Bracket winners will play City Bracket winners next week.

During the season, the Indians went 7-1 against other Albany teams and 9-3 overall to take the Majors title. The Reds (5-3-1, 7-4-1) finished second, followed by the Oilers (3-4-1, 6-5-1) and Eagles (1-8, 1-10).

The Eagles won the Minors title, while the intermediate team finished second in its league.

T-Ball and Coach Pitch leagues finished their seasons last weekend.

“Overall, we had really good attendance at games this year,” Hamilton said. “The concession stand’s been busting at the seams.”

He also mentioned that a new mound was recently received for the Little League field.

Following district tournaments, all-star competition will begin in mid-June.