Diamond dandies
ESCANABA — Youngsters have much more going on in their lives now than even a decade ago, but if they play baseball or softball, the goal has stayed the same. Every kid wants to get to the Little League World Series, and that quest begins Tuesday and continues through the next six weeks or so. Be it Williamsport, Portland or Louisville, Delta County teams have been there and done well, so the goal is not just a wild dream for area youngsters. Most recently, Gladstone finished third in the girls Major League World Series in Portland in 2007. Gladstone also was second in the girls Senior League World Series in 2001 and 2002 in Louisville. Players like Lesley Noel, Becky Bartosz and Holly Bruntjens, key members of those Senior League teams, have already completed glowing college careers. Several players from that 2007 team made their high school softball debuts last month and helped Gladstone and Rapid River reach the state tourney, with Gladstone taking the Division 3 championship.
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