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Tallassee 14-year-old all-star coach Jeff Mooney exchanges lineups prior to the 2015 state tournament game vs. Monroe County held in Tallassee

State Babe Ruth tourney in town this week

By Michael Butler

Winning the bid to host a state tournament is a rare feat. Tallassee is getting that luxury this weekend with the Alabama Babe Ruth 15-and-under Championship Tournament at Southside Field, June 25-28.

The last time Tallassee was the host for such an event was in 2015. That year, the 14-year-old Babe Ruth tourney was held here. The last time Tallassee served as the host site for the 15-and-under age group was in 2009.

That '09 all-star team went 2-3 in the 10-team field falling to Etowah 3-2 in the semifinals. Sylacauga was the state champion. Tallassee's last 15U state champion came in 2019 with an 8-3 title victory over Brewton in Phenix City.

Prepping Southside Field prior to the 2015 14-year-old state tournament

Craig Vaught was league president when Tallassee hosted its most recent state tournament in 2015.

"The one thing I kept pushing at the time," Vaught said, "was that we'd been a part of Babe Ruth probably longer than anybody, so they finally granted us one."

The Alabama Babe Ruth 15U State Champs in 2019

Tallassee Babe Ruth League President Shane Yankey, who served as vice president of the leauge with Vaught at the time of the 2015 state tourney, talked about the opportunity for Tallassee to host such an event.

The last 15U state tournament in Tallassee was played in 2009 at the Babe Ruth Complex

"We're honored to get a state tournament," said Yankey. "We're appreciative to the high school for allowing us to use the high school field."

In all, six teams will be playing in Tallassee this week: Brewton, Demopolis, Phenix City, Monroeville, Sylacauga and Tallassee.

"We had a bracket but had to change it," Yankey said. "We had a last-minute addition. A team called and said, 'We're coming.' We'd already made up the bracket and sent it out.

"Friday at 10, we'll have a coaches meeting. We will have breakfast for them. At 11, we'll have opening ceremonies."

Pool play begins on Friday. Action starts at 11:30 a.m. Tallassee plays Sylacauga in the final game of the day at 7 p.m. Games begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Tallassee plays Monroeville at 12:30. Bracket play starts at 3:30. The championship round is scheduled for Sunday.

The Tallassee Babe Ruth League has two all-star teams in 2021, a 13-year-old group and the 15-and-under team. The 13-year-old Tallassee squad begins play among a five-team field on June 25 in Demopolis. Demopolis is also hosting the 13-year-old Babe Ruth Southwest Regional in July. Childersburg is the host for the 15U regional next month.

There is no admission charge to attend any of the games in Tallassee. Concessions will be available.

*Babe Ruth 15U State Tournament Bracket - Tallassee (June 25-28)

Tallassee's 15U All-Stars
Front row (left to right): Hagan Lewis, Jacob Patterson, Arthur "3J" Woods, Brady Mason, Adam Burton, Cash Gough.
Back row: Chase Webster, Ethan Mask, Blake Smith, Cade Everson, Bry Hathcock, Jake Hornsby.


Tallassee's 13-Year-Old All-Stars
Front row (left to right): Brody Wisener, Mason Henderson, Jack Butler, Hutson Lewis, Avery Brantley.
Back row: Konner Taunton, Xander Johnson, Brody Smith, Baylor Clayton, Slade Carlton, Luke Chandler.