This year’s Olympic All-Stars squad is made up of top Junior Babe Ruth players from Sequim and Port Angeles, the first time players from both areas have competed together.

The squad entered the Maverick Late Summer Invite USSSA 16U baseball tournament in Puyallup on Aug. 10. Olympic lost its first two games, rebounded for a win to qualify for the championship and finally fell to the undefeated (4-0) PC Diamond Jaxx from Sumner in a 10-9 heartbreaker. 

“This whole experience was a real eye-opener,” manager Richard Stone said. Added coach Dean Rhodefer, “I’ve been trying to get these boys to play together for years — there is real talent here.” 

Pictured above are, back row, from left, coach Jim Whitaker, Ian Quast, Chris Whitaker, Cameron Burns, Austin Wagner, Daniel Barber, Travis Paynter, coach Chris Grubb and coach Jason Paynter, with front row, from left, coach Dean Rhodefer, James Thayer, Grant Delappe, Ricky Crawford, Tanner Rhodefer, Austin Hilliard, Galvin Velarde and James Grubb. Not pictured are manager Richard Stone, Ian Dennis, Austin Scarpa, Mason Rude, Shaun Pizzo and Adam Iseri-Fuji.

Submitted photo