Boosters present Veterans Day Baseball Tournament

The Fallbrook Union High School Baseball Boosters presented the inaugural Veterans Day Baseball Tournament the weekend of Nov. 10-12 and 26 youth baseball teams participated in the event.

Jessica Knox and Kristy Baker served as co-tournament directors of the three-day event that benefited the Fallbrook High baseball program.

"There are quite a few things that we need and there's not much funding left anymore for any of the (high school) sports so we had a group of hard-working parents say, 'let's do a tournament,'" said Knox, adding that the boosters contribute funding for things such as field maintenance, uniforms and equipment. "We'd like a new sound system at the field and some type of announcer's booth."

The tournament afforded youth baseball organizations from throughout San Diego County the opportunity to play some meaningful fall ball. Games for 7U (which had four teams competing), 10U (seven teams), 12U (six teams) and 13U (four teams) were played on the Fallbrook Youth Baseball fields. The five 14U teams – the oldest division – played their games on the Fallbrook High varsity diamond.

Teams paid $500 to participate in the tournament, which guaranteed each team three games – two pool play games and entry into the single-elimination bracket – and an awards package for the champion and runner-up teams. The entry fee helped the boosters pay for rental of the baseball fields, the umpires, baseballs and the awards.

The baseball boosters also raised money by charging for parking at the Fallbrook Youth Baseball fields and by working snack bars at both tournament locations. Knox said Fallbrook High baseball players and their families helped out with the event.

"We asked each of our player's families to contribute some time, to come out and work the snack bar or help with parking," said Knox, who added that the Fallbrook High players served as the grounds crew at the diamonds, preparing the fields for play.

Fallbrook Youth Baseball had two teams emerge as champions at the tournament as the 7U Warriors defeated the San Marcos Thunder 22-20 in a thrilling title game and the 14U Warriors shutout the Chula Vista Green Sox 8-0 in their championship contest.

In the other championship games, the North County Studs defeated the San Marcos Honey Badgers 18-16 for the 10U crown; the San Diego Crush topped Ramona 9-8 for the 12U title; and Rebels Baseball edged the Fallbrook Warriors 6-5 for the 13U championship.

"It was a great weekend of baseball," said Baker.