Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
The USSA Nationals team, on top of the dugout, supports the USSA NW Elite team in its semi-final game against South Italy. The Elite team won and then faced their fellow countrymen, the Nationals, for the championship, coming in second.
The USSA NW Elite team takes a break in the shade while exploring Rome, Italy following their baseball tournament play.
The USSA Nationals team, on top of the dugout, supports the USSA NW Elite team in its semi-final game against South Italy. The Elite team won and then faced their fellow countrymen, the Nationals, for the championship, coming in second.
The USSA NW Elite team takes a break in the shade while exploring Rome, Italy following their baseball tournament play.
The USSA Nationals team, on top of the dugout, supports the USSA NW Elite team in its semi-final game against South Italy. The Elite team won and then faced their fellow countrymen, the Nationals, for the championship, coming in second.
The USSA NW Elite team takes a break in the shade while exploring Rome, Italy following their baseball tournament play.
As reported in our August 7 edition, two Odessa High School sophomores played in an international baseball tournament in Italy. Brad Johnston and Chance Messer have now returned home, their team having won second place, losing only in the championship game to the other American team in the tournament. The USSA Nationals team won the tournament; the Odessa boys played for the USSA NW Elite team.
According to family members, both boys had a great time and enjoyed the experience overall. Wi-fi and chocolate milk were two of the most missed items from home for both, as lemon croissants and goat's milk constituted their morning fare, with pasta for lunch and dinner. Johnston said he was surprised at how few people in the town spoke any English. He had to rely on talking with his hands at times to communicate when navigating the town.
Field preparation in Italy was accomplished using a moped, whereas a four-wheeler would be used here at home to drag the field. The scoreboard was an old-fashioned board with a scorekeeper who would climb a ladder to change out numbers to keep score.
One memorable experience was playing soccer against a group of Italian boys on the beach and being pleased that they (the U.S. baseball players) only lost the soccer game by two points.
Everyone arrived home safely, though a bit jet-lagged.
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