30th Freeport International Baseball Invitational kicks off

Last year, the Backyard Bucs youth travel team helped usher in the week of games at the Freeport International Baseball Invitational at James E. Swartz Memorial Field in Freeport Borough with a Monday evening game against the France Hawks.

The Bucs, a 12U squad with players from Oakmont, Lower Burrell, Freeport, Kittanning, Moon Township and Natrona Heights, again took center stage Monday on opening night of the 30th International.

This time, the 8 p.m. matchup also featured the Aussie Drop Bears, a collection of talent from throughout Australia, in front of an enthusiastic crowd that was ready to welcome two dozen teams and more than 50 games through Saturday at multiple fields around the Alle-Kiski Valley.

“Some of our players met each other for the first time as we arrived in Pittsburgh,” Drop Bears coach Shane Dodd said.

“Some others knew each other from playing in tournaments back home. My son came here and played in the 14U Babe Ruth World Series last year in Virginia. One of the kids from Western Australia was on that trip as well. Now, they are back together here. It’s been about 12 months since they’ve seen each other. They are very excited to play together.

“So many people did the leg work to make this trip possible. It is so great to be in Freeport.”

Bucs coach Rich Walsh said he and his team were honored to open the week of games against Australia under the lights Monday.

“We’re excited to be here and playing games all week. It’s great that there is a team from Australia here in Freeport. The kids got back from Cooperstown a couple of weeks ago, and they met an Aussie team there. They are really pumped up to meet this team and make some friends. They have some pins for the Aussie team to trade. Meeting new people and sharing the game they love is what it’s all about.”

The Drop Bears players arrived in Freeport on Sunday evening and got settled in after a day that included watching the Pirates and Phillies play at PNC Park.

They will play Tuesday and Thursday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., both days, at Swartz Field and 2 and 5 p.m. Wednesday at Springdale High School. They will return to Swartz Field on Friday at 8 p.m.

The Drop Bears will wrap up their week of games Saturday with games at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Freeport Community Park.

“It’s great to have Australia back,” FIBI vice president Dave Brestensky said. “We made some great friends the first time, and we’re excited to make more friends this time. What a feeling it is to have them here after a whole year of planning since the end of last year’s International.”

The first scheduled game at the borough field Monday was to match up the West Shamokin varsity against the Highlands junior varsity team. Rain, however, canceled the contest.

Freeport president Chuck Sarver said they hope to reschedule the game for later in the week.

Games continue Tuesday at Swartz Field as well as Armstrong High School, Agan Park in Springdale Township, Northmoreland Park and Springdale High School.

There also will be games this week at Freeport Community Park.

“We couldn’t have these games without all of the fields and the people to step up and man the fields,” Sarver said.

The managers of the two dozen teams set to play games this week met Monday evening at Swartz Field to flesh out the week’s schedule, which initially was set last week.

Matt Fryer, scheduling coordinator for the Freeport International, said the week is all about the game of baseball and the fun competition. The schedule, he said, always works itself out to give the teams as many opportunities to play as possible.

Sarver said it is a great feeling to welcome this week of games.

“It’s just amazing that this is 30 years,” Sarver said. “There often is so much anxiety and anticipation coming into it with all that needs to be done to be ready. But it’s all worth it. The kids (from Australia) got off the bus at (Freeport United Methodist Church on Sunday night), and it was great to finally meet them. (The first Australia coach) Darren King is here, and he gave them a speech and pumped them up. This week is the culmination of a lot of work by some very dedicated people.”