In a small village such as Fayetteville, OH, it can be difficult just to find enough players to put together a complete Knothole Baseball team, and much more difficult to form a team capable of bringing home league and tournament titles. But there was one youth baseball team of Fayetteville to accomplish what most local Knothole Baseball teams of Southern Ohio only dream of, claiming a Knothole City Tournament championship.
The Fayetteville 9U Bombers wrapped up the month of June by competing in the Knothole City Tournament Championship Series in the Cincinnati area.
The Bombers lost their first game of the City Tourney, dropping down to the loser’s bracket. Another loss and the Bombers’ City Tournament run would have been over, but it was a Fayetteville team that was backed by, not only talent, but determination.
After topping North Avondale twice in a double header, the Bombers returned on Saturday to face a talented team of Kings Mills.
In the first game of a double header against the Kings of Kings Mills, the Bombers found themselves trailing 14-4. But in an impressive rally, the Bombers battled back to pull off an exciting 23-22 victory in a game that lasted around four hours.
To win the City Tourney, the Bombers cruised to a 14-5 victory over the Kings, becoming the first Youth Knothole Baseball team of Fayetteville to accomplish such a feat.
“It was a team effort and that every player played a huge role in winning these game. We couldn’t have done it without everyone’s play during the games,” said Bombers coach Justin Brown. “After losing the first game of the tournament, the boys never gave up to come out of the losers bracket to win the tournament. They showed a lot of heart and really shows the character of these boys to fight back. All of us coaches (and parents) are extremely proud at how far they’ve come throughout the season.”
The Bombers compete in District 26 (East Region) during their regular season, playing mainly against teams of Brown and Clermont counties. They had to finish among the top four in their league to earn a berth in the Knothole City Tournament.
“They never lost focus and the joy on their faces will forever be ingrained in my memory,” Brown posted on social media following his team’s City Tourney win.
The Bombers finished first of more than 120 Knothole Baseball teams of the same age group, according to Brown.
Brown is assisted by coaches Matt Kleemeyer and Gary Barber.
Bomber players include: Toby Brown, Brayden Williamson, Trenton Strunk, Brody Barber, Sam Coffman, Carson Dulaney, AJ Johnson, Mason Crone, Bryce Kleemeyer, Gavin Brown, and Austin Blust.