Home is where the baseball is

At Louis Bloch Park, located at Joy Street and East First Avenue in Camas o Games start at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday o Saturday's games are at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. o Semifinal game is at 10 a.m. Sunday o Championship game is at 2 p.m. Sunday Daily admission: $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and free for children ages 12 and younger Tournament passes: $25 for adults, $15 for seniors and $50 for families of four ($10 for each additional member) The Camas-Washougal Babe Ruth 13-year-old all-stars will be playing baseball against the best teams in the state in their own backyard. Games begin Wednesday at Louis Bloch Park, located along Joy Street and East First Avenue in Camas. The top three teams from four days of pool play advance to the championship bracket. The state title game starts at 2 p.m. Sunday. "There was a time when everybody in the state knew about Louis Bloch Park," said President Jaycop Collins. "It's going to be great for the best teams in the state to come here and see all the hard work we put into this field." Baseball players, coaches, and board members spent Saturday raking, trimming and watering the diamond to get it ready to showcase the state tournament. "This is kind of a hidden gem in East Clark County," said head coach Chad Jones. "The city, players, coaches and board members put a lot time into this park," said assistant coach Dave Thornton. "Pretty much everybody has a hand in how this field looks now." All-star Gavin Holley hopes to see a lot of Camas and Washougal baseball fans in the stands at Louis Bloch Park. "It would give us a lot of support and a lot more confidence knowing our hometown wants us to win for them," he said. The C-W Babe Ruth 14-year-old all-star team plays in the state tournament Wednesday through Sunday, in Kennewick. "We want to show people who Camas and Washougal is," said all-star Colden Pietila. "We are something in this world. We're not just two small towns who are rivals. We can actually come together and accomplish something bigger." "Our whole philosophy is to take it one pitch at a time," said teammate Dillon Mickalson. "That's what our coaches have taught us since day one." The C-W 15-year-old all-star team enters the state tournament July 23 to 27 in Chehalis. All-star Tyler Bowlin enjoys bonding with his teammates both on and off the field. "I'll wear this uniform every day of the week. This is where I want to be," he said. "I'm going to do as much as I can to help this team and make sure I'm showing good sportsmanship along the way. That's what this team is all about." These are exciting times for the Camas and Washougal baseball teams. Win or lose, Collins said the players, coaches and parents should be proud of their efforts. "At the end of the day, the hard work and determination that these kids put into the season and the postseason makes me really proud," Collins said. "That goes along with the parents. We've all become like one big family."

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