By Richard Polen
sports@joplinglobe.com
The 16-team championship bracket begins today in the Premier Incoming Freshman Championship.
Six teams will play in the consolation bracket, which concludes on Sunday at JayCee. Field in Lincoln Park at Pittsburg, Kan. Three area teams — SEK Crusaders, Joplin Miners and Pittsburg Pirates — are in that division.
The top seeds entering the championship round are the Rawlings Red Sox, Arizona Clash, Mud Dogs Blue and Waco Dodgers.
“It’s always the toughest part, going through the different tiebreakers in putting the bracket together,” said Tournament Director Don Patty.
“Other than doing the bracket, everything has been fine. The (Joplin) Sports Authority has been great, as usual. This is the best field we’ve ever had. The competition is great.”
Pool play was completed Thursday at five area fields. “They get used to it after the first day,” said Megan Walker, marketing and public relations coordinator for the Sports Authority, on getting coaches, players and fans to the proper locations.
“We got rained out a lot last year,” she said. “No rain today, and hopefully not tomorrow.
“And it’s not as hot as it was last year. The Texas teams are loving the weather. They’re saying, ‘This is so much better than Texas.’ ”
Nine of the 22 teams in the tournament are from Texas.
The Rawlings Red Sox lead off today’s schedule at 9:30 a.m. against Mud Dogs Red at Joe Becker Stadium, while Arizona takes on Rawlings Red Birds at Joplin High School.
Mud Dogs Blue open against Bayside Yankees at Seneca, and Waco takes on Rawlings Legends at Pittsburg. Other games today are scheduled for noon, 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Saturday’s games are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and noon. The semifinals are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and noon on Sunday, followed by the championship game at 2:30 p.m.
JSA is the tournament’s host for the second consecutive year.
“We have the AAU in town for the track meet (at Fred Hughes Stadium), so if you’re looking for a hotel room right now, it’s pretty sparse,” Walker said.
The Premier Junior World Series, a 32-team tournament, is scheduled for July 21-26.
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July 3, 2009
Pool play sets bracket
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Five sign to join Missouri Southern women's track team
- Whisner ignites Joplin Miners past Webb City
- Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris
- Both sides of border hope changes make easier entry into Canada
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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