Valley Dodgers Hit Hardest in the Wallet

Dave Desmond had to look no further than his wallet to conclude that the Valley Dodgers’ trip to the Southern California amateur baseball tournament in San Bernardino represented a lost weekend.

The team’s general manager watched the Dodgers collapse in the ninth inning of the championship game Sunday, blowing a three-run lead, their championship hopes and costing the team a four-digit financial windfall.

“That was a $1,500 ninth inning,” Desmond said.

The tournament winner earns $1,500 and an automatic berth in the National Baseball Congress World Series on Aug. 3-15 in Wichita, Kan. The Dodgers routed their first four opponents by a combined score of 41-4 but were swept by San Diego at Fiscalini Field on the final day of the double-elimination semipro tournament.

After dropping a 7-4 decision to San Diego in the first game, the Dodgers (24-8) took a 10-7 lead into the ninth inning of the championship game. But with two out and the bases empty, the Stars rallied for three runs on two hits, two errors and two passed balls.

Third baseman Albert Kolesar booted one grounder and catcher Paul Romero later allowed the tying run to score when he threw the ball into left field attempting to nab a runner stealing third base. Simone Berkley then led off the 11th inning with a home run to give the Stars an 11-10 win.

The winner of each of the Golden State League’s two divisions earns $1,500 and an automatic berth in the NBC World Series. The Dodgers lead the Northern Division by six games with six to play.

Barring a major collapse during the next six games, the Dodgers still may pick up $1,500, but they finished Sunday’s doubleheader with barely enough gas money to make the 100-mile trip home.

“We have $6 in our bank account,” Desmond said.

Desmond says the trip to Wichita will cost his club $13,000. He will solicit donations from local businesses but says that will not be an easy job.

“I only have three weeks to raise $13,000.”

Last year the Dodgers needed to raise $10,000 for the NBC World Series but only managed $6,000. The 25-man roster was shaved to 18, the Dodgers traveled by vans and Desmond contributed $4,000 out of his pocket.

One of the few bright spots for the Dodgers on Sunday was left fielder Ted Higgins. Higgins hit two home runs in the first game, added another in the nightcap and was 7 for 10 in the two games. He was 13 for 25 in the tournament (.520 batting average) and drove in 10 runs in six games.

However, the tournament co-most valuable player honors went to San Diego’s Berkley and Woody Woodward. The most-valuable-pitcher award went to Willie Blas, who was credited with both San Diego wins over the Dodgers.