PUT THEM IN, COACH: Island Old-Timers are (still) ready to play in July 4th game

Published 9:25 am Wednesday, July 1, 2015

The players set to take the field in the 11th Stars & Stripes Old-Timers’ baseball game next week have logged an impressive cumulative count of home runs, pop flies and home plate slides, but they’ve perhaps never played a game more fun than the annual holiday weekend philanthropic throw down.

Set to begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4 again this year, the fundraising face-off pits mature island baseball players from all kinds of experience paths — including former Bainbridge High School and Little League players and coaches as well as collegiate players who reside here — against each other for a good cause.

All donations gathered from the attendees and sponsors will benefit the BHS baseball program.

The event has evolved a lot over the years, explained BHS Baseball Boosters spokesman Troy Niehaus, to become the holiday staple it is today.

“It’s a great mix of adults who get together and wear old-time uniforms,” he said. “I started playing in the second year of the event, played for five years and then took a break and umpired for a few years.”

Now, Niehaus said, he contributes from off the field, spreading awareness of the event and fostering partnerships with the numerous local businesses who sponsor it.

“We are a competitive program,” he said of the BHS squad, which took fourth in state this year. “We’ve had a great program over the years.”

There is a $5 suggested donation to attend the game, which will again be held at the BHS baseball field.

There’s no better time to celebrate the island community’s love of baseball than during the most patriotic weekend of the year, Niehaus said.

“The timing is perfect,” he added.

The BHS Baseball Boosters assist with various aspects of the team’s season, Niehaus said, including additional transportation to away games and their annual youth skills camp as well.

“The program depends on this event to help fund uniforms, equipment, transportation, and other items,” he said.

“These year we were able to bus student fans to cheer on the varsity team at the district championship game versus O’Dea.”

The BHS team defeated O’Dea in that matchup and eventually claimed the fourth-place trophy after being bested first 11-6 at the state semifinal playoff game by eventual champion Mercer Island and then 6-4 by Central Kitsap.

The fourth-place state trophy is the first in several years for the Spartans, who last brought home a second-place prize in 2009.