12U travel team doing well

Last January, the Flathead Valley's first 12-U travel baseball team was formed. Some of the top players from Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls were selected and the Montana Regulator 12-U program began an intensive winter workout schedule. Head coach Trevor Kjensrud set the foundation for success by focusing on the life lessons of playing baseball and what being a good teammate was all about. Once the snow melted and local fields became available, outdoor practices sessions began in preparation for the tournament schedule which began May 1 in Spokane, Washington for the Cinco De Mayo regional event. The boys faced some of the top travel teams in the Northwest and came away with their first team victory over Spokane. They continue to improve -at the Father's Day Tournament in Helena, the Montana Regulator 12-U team beat the Missoula Osprey Jr. and Lethbridge AAA team to advance in tournament play to the championship game. At the annual Jack Zerr in Whitefish, the team finished with a 6-0 record while scoring 72 runs and only allowing 10 runs. Highlights of the tournament included a team batting average of .353, four home runs (two grand slams), strong pitching performances and solid defense.

"This is the first year that these boys have played together and I am really proud of how they have conducted themselves on and off the field. We feel like we are peaking at the right time," Kjensrud said.