Two FCA Lumberjacks baseball teams have turned years of hard work into history.
The Woodland-based program will send both its 13U and 14U teams to the Babe Ruth World Series this month after each squad captured regional championships, giving Southwest Washington two more teams to celebrate on the national stage.
14U Coach Noah Baxter said the accomplishment has been years in the making.
"I've been with this group really since coach pitch, going on seven years for the core group of boys," Baxter said. "They work their tails off. Most of them are playing multiple sports ... besides baseball."
Baxter said the team has steadily climbed closer to its goal, advancing deeper into postseason play nearly every season before finally breaking through this summer.
"We really started feeling like the boys are tasting it," he said. "We got a chance and just started putting more work in and keeping their noses down and grinding."
That persistence paid off in the regional tournament, where the Lumberjacks avenged back-to-back eliminations by Belgrade, Montana.
"I kept telling them, 'This is the story,'" Baxter said. "We get Belgrade, Montana, in the semifinals game. That's who knocked us off last year and the year before."
Trailing late, the 14U Lumberjacks rallied to force extra innings before scoring two runs to secure the victory. They followed that with a championship win over Port Angeles, last year's World Series representative, Baxter said.
"The boys just played free and loose and played for each other," Baxter said. "It's been fun. They've really worked their tails off. Great group of kids and family."
Now, with the World Series ahead, Baxter hopes his players embrace every moment.
"We've had this goal for realistically three years," he said. "Go enjoy the moment and leave it all on the field. Go out, have fun. The opportunity to play other countries and teams from around the United States that we don't get the opportunity to play — what an experience."
The 13U Lumberjacks are also making history.
Coach Tom Haly called the team's regional championship run "like a dream."
"These kids have huge hearts," Haly said. "They believe in you. Put a little bit of luck in, and you don't know what the outcome is going to be."
While based in Woodland, the FCA program draws players from throughout Southwest Washington.
"We're out of Woodland, Washington, just a little town playing against some of these other bigger towns that have a bigger draw," Haly said. "But we have kids from Vancouver, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, Woodland and Kelso, and they've all come together, got really close."
Baxter believes the success of multiple area teams speaks volumes about baseball in the region.
"It says a lot," he said. "We've got our 13U team there. 16U has the Vancouver Bulldogs representing in their World Series, and then I saw Kelso got the at-large bid. It says a lot for Southwest Washington and boys putting work in and going out there and trying to achieve good goals."
Haly echoed that sentiment.
"Baseball's real strong here," he said.
While the 14U team left to their respective World Series tournament on Monday, Aug. 3, and the 13U team’s departure is approaching, Haly is encouraging community members to help send the team to their respective national tournaments.
"I would just like to reach out and support these boys and help them," Haly said. "We sure would appreciate it. We're kind of scrambling right now to get ready to roll back there."
He added donations will be accepted until around Aug. 10 before the team leaves Aug. 12.
The FCA Lumberjacks have a funding goal of $45,000 to help send the 13U team to Jamestown, New York.
For donations, visit supportnow.org/fca-lumberjacks-13u.
On Saturday, Aug. 8, the 13U team will host a tri-tip sandwich fundraiser at the Woodland Corner Store, 1697 Lewis River Road, where the team hopes to sell over 600 sandwiches. Also on Monday, Aug. 10, Playmakers Sports Bar and Grill is hosting a 13U FCA Lumberjacks fundraiser night at all locations. Playmakers will donate 20% from all food and drink sales when customers say “Lumberjacks.”
