Ready to play some ball ball

11-year-old squad plays on Saturday

Jackson Bruder of the Del Norte Little League All-Star 11-year-old baseball team grabs the ball as head coach Lonnie Levi looks on during practice on Tuesday. The squad will take part in the District 26 tournament beginning on Saturday in Humboldt County. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

Playing in the outfield, Klevon Welch watched intently as coaches smacked the ball his way. He fielded the hits as the coaches shouted out encouragement and advice to him and his fellow Little Leaguers.

During a break in the action at a recent practice, Welch talked about being a member of the Del Norte Little League 11-year-old All-Star baseball team, which begins play Saturday.

It opens play in the double-elimination  District 26 tournament in Eureka against Blue Lake. The tournament concludes with the title game next Friday.

“We’re doing pretty good,” he said.  “The last practice we did some good things.”

Welch say’s it’s just a lot of fun to be part of a group of talented kids who love to grab their gloves and play baseball.

“I’m honored to play on this team,” he said. “A lot of kids don’t get this opportunity.”

Asked about his expectations heading into the tournament, Welch replied, “I just hope to win some games and have fun.”

This is the first year head coach Lonnie Levi has coached the All-Star team, but he has several years’ experience coaching in Little League.

“They have been looking good,” Levi said about the squad. “I’m pleased with how they are progressing.”

Brock Edwards throws a pitch during baseball practice on Tuesday in Crescent City. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

“We have a good, balanced team,” he said.

Levi enjoys working with this age group, teaching fundamentals players will need if they want to continue in baseball, he said.

“I like working with the kids as they improve their skill level and progress,” Levi said. He added that it’s vital as a community to give kids a positive outlet like sports.

Brock Edwards has been playing for years and said he remembers watching his older sisters playing Little League and wanting to be on the field as well.

“It just looked fun,” he said.

“It’s a good team,” he said of the all-star squad. “We’ve got a lot of good players.”

The team’s assistant coaches are Rick Hardy, Terry Liles and Sean Harper, who is also the head coach of the 12-year-old All-Star team that plays the following week.