- April 24, 2024
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Flagler's Masyn Hancock throws a pitch against DeBary. Photo by Ray Boone
The Flagler Bombers' Austin Abel throws a ball to second base. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bombers' Danny Gray gets a base hit. Photo by Ray Boone
Flagler's Kaiden Boudreaux (No. 5) gives a high five to a teammate after scoring a run. Photo by Ray Boone
Flagler's Luke Middleton slides into second base against DeBary. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bombers' Nolan Goff throws a pitch in the All-Star Tournament. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bombers' Reid Epstein throws a ball to second base. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bombers' Tanner Cauley sprints to first base. Photo by Ray Boone
Over 1 1/2 years ago, the baseball fields at the Flagler County Recreational Area in Bunnell were “unplayable,” according to Barry Clymer, District 9 commissioner of the Florida Babe Ruth Baseball league.
The issue: lip buildup, or when dirt gets on the grass infield lining from dragging or from play. A lip that is too high, in the case of the county’s recreational fields, can create unsafe field conditions.
But starting Wednesday, June 6, the Flagler County Recreational fields, which were officially repaired just over a year ago, hosted the Babe Ruth League’s All-Star Tournament. It was the first time Flagler County has hosted the event since 2010.
“The county has done such an amazing job getting the fields ready and prepping them for this tournament,” said Flagler Baseball Board Member Carolyn Casper, who has a son on the Flagler Bombers’ 12U team. “We’ve been preparing for this for a while.”
District 9’s league is composed of teams from Flagler, Ormond Beach, South Daytona Beach, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, DeBary and Sanford. Age groups start as young as 4 for T-ball up to the 15U division. The teams are made up the top performers from the recreational baseball season.
“Most of the kids and parents have had a really good time,” said Clymer, who has been the commissioner of District 9 for the past decade. “Just to see this whole atmosphere is so much fun. This is a great atmosphere for baseball.”
