I’ve got a lot of ground, out field grass, fairway, and even peaceful cemetery space to cover this week, so I had better get right to it. I’ll begin where I left off last week with West End Babe Ruth 13-16’s trip to the World Series in Branson, Missouri.

Congratulations to the West End team, parents, fans, and all the great folks in our area who cheered on the amazing season with them. Only one team can finish a World Series with a win, and Jim and Bonnie
Winder will have to wait for that championship
trophy for another year. The team finished 5th after dropping a tough loss to Torrance, California.

The West Enders represented all of us back home with class, sportsmanship, and by showing off the great baseball skills that make the greater Williamsport area so respected when it comes to baseball. A special tip of my cap to everyone who donated to help curb some of the expenses for the team.

I will stay in the outfield grass at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field. Another hometown team of summer is looking to win that most difficult last game. The Williamsport Crosscutters will host the MLB Draft League Championship game on Thursday, September 5th. The game will be a celebration complete with post-game fireworks. Thank you to all the fans and local business folks who supported the team.

Hopefully, the championship trophy will stay right here in Billtown after the fireworks go boom.

Next up, people ask me all the time if I’m a golfer. I left that sport first up to my father and now to my sons Jimmy and Hunter. I will add that if it wasn’t for my lack of patience coupled with an inability to accept not being good at something, I would probably tee off. I do appreciate the game, however — especially how it can be used to help raise money for so many good reasons. This will be the case on September 6th at White Deer Golf Course as St. John Neumann Regional Academy will be holding their inaugural golf tournament.

The event’s golf committee reached out to me and explained the why for the new fundraiser. Simply put, it will help keep the doors open at all the schools. I sometimes get caught up in appreciating the athletic accomplishments Neumann has had over
the years. These pale in comparison to the contributions Neumann graduates have made to our area and beyond over the decades.

If you would like to play, be a business sponsor, or just make a contribution, you may call (570)323-9953, ext. 100 or email athdir@sjnra.org.   ank you to all the community-driven folks working hard to make this happen.

Last stop is that cemetery spot that you probably wondered how I was going to tie into this. Dori Rankinen always gives 100% to whatever she’s working on. This goes an extra 10% for her Wreaths Across America efforts.

If you’re not familiar with this, they will place wreaths at the veterans’ graves in their honor during the Christmas season. Near Ken Hunter’s column, a Sunday, September 15th Sportsmen’s Event ad can be found, with firearms provided by National Sporting Goods and much more. It sounds like a
great way to raise money for the additional
wreaths needed.

If you have any questions about the event, you can contact Dori at 570-772-2423.

This is a great spot for me to mention I understand many of us frequently get asked about helping people, organizations, and causes. Please do what you can and feel comfortable doing. Whether it’s financial help, the gift of your time, or something
else, it would be appreciated. Please understand it’s OK to say no and please never feel pressured.

I’ll finish up with, school is open, drive with extra caution and safely. Just think about all the distracted drivers you’ve witnessed this past week. Now, couple that with all the bad drivers out there. It’s up to all of us to make an effort to keep the kids safe and look out for them.

God Bless America.