22 teams to compete at Bob Cene tourney

June 22, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

STRUTHERS

Twenty-two teams will participate in the Second annual Bob Cene Memorial Baseball Tournament that runs Thursday through Sunday at Cene Park here and Roosevelt Park in Campbell.

Defending champion Creekside Fitness and runner-up Astro Falcons will participate with teams from Michigan, Pennsylvania and 11 other Ohio entries.

“We started planning for the tournament back in September and sent invitations to no less than 1,836 possible 18-U and 16-U teams from the area, statewide and also Canada,” Ken Quinn, tournament director, said Tuesday. “The response we received was overwhelming.

“While many teams were unable to clear their schedules due to previous commitments, interest by teams for next year has already been identified,” Quinn said. “The teams returning love our facility and have had this weekend penciled in since last summer.”

In conjunction with the tournament, Ed Santa’s Summer/College Baseball Showcase will kick off the festivities today at 9 a.m. at the ballpark.

Santa, Midwest/East Region scout for the Colorado Rockies, hopes to provide players an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of college coaches and professional scouts.

Santa’s showcases have consistently received high marks for organization, and the number of coaches and scouts in attendance. Cost of Santa’s camp is $180.

“Ed does three or four camps like this each summer and another two or three during the winter months, so it’s an exciting time for everyone involved in local sandlot baseball,” Quinn said Tuesday.

Ken Tirpack, a former Campbell Memorial and Ohio State player, will serve as a camp instructor.

Bob Cene, Sr. was a baseball enthusiast and owner of Astro Shapes Aluminum Extrusion. He died on Dec. 11, 1999 but not before he was able to implement his vision of a state-of-the-art baseball complex.

Other local Class B teams slated for the tournament are Baird Brothers, Dura-Edge, Knightline Embroidery, Ohio Avalanche and Roth Brothers.

The Michigan entry is Lake’s Area Dodgers while three Pennsylvania squads, Allegheny Tigers, Pittsburgh Crusaders and Western Pa. Slurve will visit.

Rounding out the Ohio field will be Stark County Terriers, Ohio Arsenal, Boys of Summer 18, Boys of Summer 16, Columbus Cobras, Ohio Thunder, Golden Spikes 18, Golden Spikes 16, Diamond Boys Select, Diamond Boys Blue and Diamond Boys Red.

There are four pools with five teams comprising Pools A and B, and six teams making up Pools C and D. Each team is guaranteed four games, weather permitting, with championship bracket play set to begin on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The tournament concludes on Sunday with semifinal action taking place at 10 a.m. and the championship contest slated for 12:30 p.m.