AREA SOFTBALL TEAMS PREPARE FOR BABE RUTH WORLD SERIES

Two local girls fast-pitch softball teams will look to make their mark among the nation's best over the next couple of weeks.

The New Hamburg Heat will compete in the 16-under Babe Ruth World Series that begins Aug. 11 in Abbeville, La., while the Benton-based Heartland Nationals will participate in the 12-under Babe Ruth World Series that begins Saturday in Pine Bluff, Ark.

Both squads qualified for the prestigious tournaments by winning regional championships recently.

New Hamburg Heat

The Heat have dominated opponents all summer, compiling a stellar 29-1 record. Most impressive has been the team's defense, which has committed just 21 errors.

"Our defense has been fantastic," said Heat manager Doug Johnson.

Ten of the Heat's 12 players are from Kelly High School, which annually fields one of the state's premier small-school programs.

"This group has been together for a while and they play real good together," said Johnson, whose squad placed fourth in the Babe Ruth World Series last year. "We hope to be in the thick of things."

Kelly product Dana Essner has been the Heat's top pitcher, going 16-1 and allowing just 12 runs.

Heartland Nationals

The Nationals failed to advance out of pool play at the Babe Ruth World Series last year, but manager Ron Schlosser has high hopes for the squad.

"The girls have really worked hard and they've had a lot of fun," he said. "I think we should fare pretty decent."

This all-star team, which was put together after league play, features six players from Benton, three from New Hamburg, two from Kelso, two from Delta and one each from Chaffee and Oran.

Miranda Schlosser has been the team's No. 1 pitcher.