Tournament titles on line
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

Kansas and Memphis aren't the only teams playing for a championship today.

Tournament champions will be crowned in three Cal Ripken League age divisions today at the Cherokee County Youth Sports Complex.

In the Major League preseason tournament championship game, Tech 1 of Blacksburg will be looking to complete a undefeated tournament run with a victory over hot-hitting Brandon Perry and VFW.

Tech 1 has marched to the championship game with victories over Hamrick Mills, Andy's Appliance and VFW.

VFW beat First Piedmont Federal on Thursday to earn another crack at Tech 1. Perry homered in VFW's wins over the Elk's and First Piedmont Federal.

The game is slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. VFW must defeat Tech 1 to force a winner-take-all game for the tournament championship.

In the Minor League preseason tournament, the Burger King and First Piedmont Federal winner will advance to today's championship game at 7:30 p.m. The loser will play either A&E Engineering, Family Auto or Tesneer's of Blacksburg for the right to move on to the championship game.

There are still a number of teams in the hunt for the Mite League tournament championship, as well. Burger King assured itself a spot in today's championship game with wins over Timken, Gordon's Mortuary, Farm Bureau and McDaniel Landscaping. Burger King's opponent will come from the survivor of a group of teams, including White Columns, Hamrick Inc., Farm Bureau and McDaniel Landscaping.

Cal Ripken League President Tim Blackwell said he expects competitive matchups today.

"Nearly all the games have been close. I don't think any game has been called by the 10-run rule," he said.

Tickets for today's game are $1 for adults. Children under 12 are admitted free.

Blackwell said he's hoping for big crowds.

"This serves as a good warmup for our teams, but it's also important because this is only fundraiser that we do each year," he said.

The regular season begins next Monday.

In another note, registration will continue at SageSport and the Cherokee County Recreation District until Wednesday for youths ages 13 to 15 who are interested in playing in the local Babe Ruth League.

CAL RIPKEN LEAGUE TOURNEY TITLES

Preseason tournament champions will be crowned today in three age groups at the Cherokee County Youth Sports Complex today. In the highlight game, Tech 1 will battle VFW for the Major League preseason touranemnt championship at 5:30 p.m.