Show Ball, Ojai-SP Win Tournaments

When Brendan Ryan of Van Nuys Show Ball threw out Valley Chatsworth’s Joe Guntz to end the game, it was more than a little anti-climactic.

There were no dog piles on the field and celebratory hugs were kept to a minimum.

The only sign that Show Ball had captured the American Legion District 20 Division I (18-and-under) title Sunday afternoon at Birmingham High was the trophy several players lifted over their heads.

It had to do with the fact both finalists had clinched berths in the Area 6 playoffs that start Thursday at Birmingham and continue through the weekend at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

But Van Nuys had more than that on its mind after it had completed a 5-1 victory. Most of the hugs were reserved for their coach, Jody Breeden, whose mother died earlier in the week.

“This whole week had been kind of crazy with Jody’s mom passing away,” right fielder Chris Dickerson said. “Our goal was just to get out of the week with a championship. It was very important to us.”

Van Nuys (25-1) was clinging to a 2-1 lead with two out in the fifth inning when Dickerson delivered the biggest hit of the tournament--a bases-loaded double off the fence in center that scored all three runners.

The three-run rally provided Tim Meichtry with more support than he would need to hold off Chatsworth (20-6).