Bantam Sox prep for tournament (revised schedule)

The Elks 341 Black Sox open their second tournament on home field on Friday evening.

What was originally supposed to be a six-team tournament after Valley East dropped out to what their coach deemed personal reasons, is now a five-team tournament. The tournament opens on Friday night when Soo, Michigan takes on Sudbury at 6 p.m. The Black Sox will then take on Rogers City in the nightcap.

The only team not to suit up on day one is Mancelona, who play back-to-back games to open action on Saturday.

"Rogers City is pretty strong," said Black Sox coach Steve Hurley, who played a major role in bringing the four out-of-town teams to the tournament. "They have good defense and hitting. They're fundamentally sound. Mancelona has a good pitching staff. Soo, Michigan has good coaching. Sudbury is coming up with all 14-year-olds but we can't take them for granted either."

The Soo, Michigan roster will feature much of their younger roster with 13- and 14-year-old players making up much of the roster. Some members of their 15-year-old team will be on the roster as well.

ON Tuesday night, the Black Sox dropped a 7-6 decision to the 15-year-old Soo, Michigan team after giving up a two-run homerun in the sixth inning. Richard Lang knocked in a pair of runs in the loss while Corey Jackson had a single and a double.

Hurley noted that although Rogers City will likely be the toughest test for his club, he feels as though they will be able to compete.

"We're ready for them," Hurley said. "They're a good club and we're a good club. I think we can compete."

The new schedule for the tournament is as follows:

FRIDAY JULY 13TH

6:00 PM SOO MICHIGAN VS SUDBURY (E Field) 8:30 PM SOO BLACK SOXVS ROGERS CITY (E)

SATURDAY JULY 14TH

10:00 AM MANCELONA VS SOO MICHIGAN (E) 12:30 PM MANCELONA VSSUDBURY (E) 12:30 PM SOO MICHIGAN VS ROGERS CITY (G) 3:00 PM SUDBURY VS ROGERS CITY (E) 6:00 PM SOO BLACK SOX VS SOO MICHIGAN (E) 8:30 PM SOO BLACK SOX VS MANCELONA (E)

SUNDAY JULY 15TH

10:00 AM MANCELONA VS ROGERS CITY (E) 12:30 PM SOO BLACK SOX VS SUDBURY (E)

CHAMPIONSHIP: 3:00 PM 1ST TEAM OVERALL VS 2ND TEAM OVERALL (E)