MABA teams ready for next round of playoffs

Six teams representing MABA will begin their individual quests for state championships today, as both Babe Ruth and Cal Ripken League postseason tournament action continues across Missouri.

Two separate state brackets will feature a pair of Mineral Area 12-year-old squads after the district champion qualified automatically, and the runner-up was extended a second invitation.

The 70-foot bases division will commence in Cape Girardeau. The MABA National Division will open against Sikeston today at 3 p.m., followed by the American Division facing Scott City.

Marionville is the location for the 60-foot bases state tournament. The MABA Nationals are set to challenge Houston at 6 p.m. with the Americans playing the next contest against the host club.

The Mineral Area 10-year-old team, led by the league champion North County Rush, has the earliest start time today in Sikeston with a noon first pitch against Cape Girardeau.

A two-week hiatus will conclude tonight for the MABA Senior Babe Ruth all-stars, who were chosen by the league champion Leadwood Pirates. They will battle tournament host Jackson tonight at 7:30 p.m.

The 13-year-old division begins district play in Union on Friday evening, featuring a best-of-three series between Mineral Area and Union. The winner will advance to state competition in Cape Girardeau next week.

MABA has already claimed the 11 and 9-year-old state championships in Farmington and Cassville, respectively, and both clubs are now preparing Midwest Plains Regional action on July 31.

The 11-year-old squad will look for a regional three-peat in Denver after reaching the World Series last summer in Louisiana. The 9-year-olds are also traveling west to Haysville, Kan.

The Mineral Area 14-year-old division is idle until state playoff action resumes next week in Sikeston.