by Danny Carpenter
SPORTS WRITER
(July 7) For the second year in a row, the Harrison County Americans and Harrison County Nationals will battle for the right to host a Babe Ruth state tournament.
Last year, the teams faced off in a one-game playoff to host the 14-year-old Babe Ruth State tournament. They'll do it again for the 15-year-old Babe Ruth State Tournament to be held at Frank Loria Memorial Field later this month.
"Honestly, we want to win the game," American coach Guss Kelley said. "Last year, we won the right to host and then waited a week and a half.
"The Nationals played in the district and got some games under their belts."
The Nationals return the majority of the starters from last year's team, which eventually won the state tournament. The Nationals also reached the Babe Ruth World Series as 13-year olds.
The Nationals will start pitcher Paul Graeber, while the Americans will counter with Brett McClain or 14-year-old Aaron Cleavenger.
The loser plays Wes-Mon at Wes-Mon in the best-of-three series for the District 2 title.
Game time is 7 p.m. with gates opening at 6 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children.