Bachman Memorial Tourney starts today

VW independent/submitted information

The 10th annual Don Bachman Memorial Tournament kicks off today at 6 p.m. Opening ceremonies will be at 5:45 this evening on First Bank of Berne Field in Jubilee Park.

Over 500 players, ages 8 to 14, will travel to Van Wert and Ohio City for this year’s tournament. Games will be played in Van Wert’s Smiley Park, Jubilee Park and the Rotary Athletic Complex, as well as Hoffman, Legion and Fireman’s fields in Ohio City. Thirty-eight teams from three states will compete in pool play Friday and Saturday, hoping to advance to Sunday’s single-elimination tournament.

“This year being the 10th annual, we wanted it to be big,” said Bachman’s son, Rick. “Starting with 14 teams in ‘05,and growing to almost 40 teams this year is what our dad dreamed about.

“He wanted youth baseball to grow and thrive in the Van Wert area,” Rick Bachman added. “My brothers and I look forward to coming back every year to the town we grew up in for this event. Seeing the excitement that surrounds baseball in Van Wert is what it’s all about. We could not do it without the Van Wert Youth Baseball Board and great volunteers like Rick Racster.”

For information, game times and locations go to vwyb.com.