A pair of local youth baseball teams have held their own against some top-notch competition from across the state.
Now, the Iola Mustangs teams — a 13-and-under and an 11-under team — are gearing up for a bigger stage.
The youngsters from the two teams will host a car wash from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 5 in the AutoZone parking lot in Iola.
The fundraiser will help pay for the teams’ participation in the upcoming USSSA World Series in Omaha, Neb., July 9-13.
“They’ve done pretty well so far,” said Luke Bycroft, who coaches both teams.
The 13-and-under team has racked up a 22-4 record and won two of six tournaments this summer, while placing second in two others.
The 11-and-under team has won three of its six tournaments.
“We’ve competed in the state tournament before, and some of these kids were in a World Series a few years ago, but this is going to be a new experience for most of them,” Bycroft said.
“I am very fortunate that as a minister of a church I get the opportunity to be gone on Sundays to travel with our baseball teams to tournaments throughout the summer,” Bycroft said. “(Fellowship Regional) understands that we are building much more than great baseball players or a great team.”
