Friday, Jul. 03, 2009

Millers set to defend their Mon-Clair title

Valmeyer tourney will kick off today

The dominant team in the Mon-Clair League for most of the past three decades, the Waterloo Millers are in a period of transition.

No longer does the mere mention of Waterloo's powerful lineup strike fear into opposing pitchers.

Managed by local legend Vern Moehrs, the Millers are still one of the best teams in the Mon-Clair League.

They just aren't without question "THE" best team in the Mon-Clair League.

"Times change and I guess we're getting a little older. We've had some of the guys who were with us for years retire and so offensively, we've been very inconsistent this year,'' Moehrs said. "If you have any answers let me know.

"We ended up 34-5 last year and right now we're 16-5, so we've already lost as many games as we did all of last season.''

The Millers will look to regain some of that magic beginning today when they defend their championship at the 37th annual Valmeyer Midsummer Classic at Borsch Memorial Park.

Annually one of the top amateur baseball tournaments in the Midwest, the event begins at 9 a.m. today when the Millers battle Millstadt, followed by a game between the Cape Girardeau (Mo.) Capahas and Fairview Heights at 11:30 a.m.

The St. Louis Spikes will take on Belleville at 2 p.m., followed by the St. Louis Printers and host Valmeyer squaring off at 4:30 p.m.

Tournament action continues Saturday and Sunday with the title game set for 3:30 p.m. Sunday

Also included during the tournament will be live entertainment following the games each day and a Saturday fireworks display.

Waterloo defeated the St. Louis Spikes 12-5 in the title game a year ago with tournament MVP Jason Harrison leading the way.

Harrison will once again lead the Millers, who rely heavily on the pitching arms of Corey Blackwell, Brandon Musso and Mark Mueller.

Millstadt, just 4-8 in league play, is led by infielder/outfielder Jay Francois and outfielder /pitcher Matt Kerperien.

Both Fairview Heights and Belleville feature young teams.

Currently second in the St. Clair Division, Fairview Heights is led by former Freeburg High standouts Jake Bayers and Rob Blumberg, while Belleville is led by Mark Tampow, Dan Munoz, Chipper Clayton and Marcus Barriger.

Always at their best as the host team, the Valmeyer Lakers also feature a solid lineup led by Chris Rohlfing and Aaron Floarke.