The Great American Past Time --

Tyler Adams ignores the 102-degree heat -- and Mason Allen winds up to throw “the heat” -- in tournament action at Harriman Park on Saturday. The boys play for the Buffalo Bison team freshman team (10-and-11-year-olds) coached by Monty McGill. Van’Go’photo Little league baseball was in FULL swing during the past weekend as tournaments were held throughout the area. Competition was tough -- and so was the 100+ degree weather, but the kids and fans of the Leon County Youth Association persevered.

Buffalo hosted the 2009 Freshman/Sophomore Qualification Tournament at Harriman Park. Eight teams competed in the Freshman (10-11 year olds) bracket: Buffalo Bison coached by Monty McGill and Buffalo Bison coached by Kent St. Pe', the Centervlle Tigers coached by T.J. Holden and Tigers coached by Robin Harris, Leon Cougars teams coached by Jeff Zientek and by Doug Stutzman, and two Normangee Panthers teams, coached by Joe Wren and Bert Bilsing.

Buffalo's McGill and Leon's Zientek met in the Championship on Monday evening at 7:30. Both teams will advance to District in Leon July 13-15.

In the Sophomore (12-13) bracket, six teams battled for the Championship title: Buffalo, Leon, Mexia, Normangee, Centerville and Bremond. The Bison coached by Mike Read and Dan Tollett faced Leon's sophomores in the finals on Monday night and both teams should advance to District.

The Senior Midgets (9-10) had a tournament in Leon this weekend at Hammond Park. Mark Read's Buffalo Bison team took first place in that tournament and advanced to District.

Machine Pitch (8-U) teams were competing in Centerville Thursday through Tuesday. The Purple Bison coached by Tommy Davis and the Gold Bison coached by Russell Jonas were both playing Monday evening and the finals should be Tuesday evening at Centerville Elementary School.

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Coaches and parents are encouraged to contact the Buffalo Press with other Little League news! 903-322-4248 or Vanessa Goodwyn at 903-388-9305