Buckley Bombers earn sportsmanship award in runner-up regional finish

   Recognized for their respect and team effort, the Buckley Bombers earned the honor of the Norm Travis Sportsmanship award in the Midwest Regional 16-18 Babe Ruth Baseball tournament, July 21-24, at Rathert Stadium in Junction City, Kansas.
    “This is the third time in five years that we’ve won that award,” said coach Marcus Kammer. “I think we’ve got a good rapport with our kids and fans, and it’s a good representation of our community.”
    For the second year in a row, the Buckley Bombers made it to the championship game undefeated in pool play at the Midwest Regionals. They ended the tournament with runner-up honors after a 0-7 loss to Charleston, Missouri.
    The team has made it to the Midwest Regional Tournament five years running. “I think this tournament has done a lot for our program,” said Kammer, noting the tremendous growth seen during that time period. He especially noted the leadership shown on the team by locals Gunnar Kroeger and Brendan Mayden, both finishing their fourth and final years playing with the team.
    Four years ago, the roster was just 14 players deep for the Buckley Bombers, who took 11 to the Midwest Regional Tourney and went 0-4. This year, the Bombers started the season with 34 players, enough for two teams. Limited to 18 players for the tournament, the team was 3-0 in pool play, then won the semifinal game Monday before the championship.
    Kammer said the 0-7 championship loss to the Charleston Fighting Squirrels was nothing to be ashamed of. He said the Squirrels are a perennial team at the Midwest Regionals, having won it six or seven times in the last 10 years. In fact, the team’s pitcher was the same pitcher from last year’s championship game, playing for Wayne County at the time.
    “We knew we’d have to have no mistakes in this game and hope for a couple breaks,” said Kammer.

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