Babe Ruth state tourneys in Whitefish, Columbia Falls

The Daily Inter Lake

Baseball's brightest stars of the future are here now.

The Montana State Babe Ruth Tournament begins today in the Flathead Valley, wrapping up with Sunday's championship games.

The tournament, which will be played at Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Field in Columbia Falls and Smith Fields in Whitefish, features 17 teams and two age divisions (13 and 14-15).

The 13-year-old bracket consists of two pools. Glacier, North Bitterroot and Helena are in Pool A, while Kalispell, Mission Valley and Bozeman are in Pool B.

There are 11 teams in the 14-15 bracket, which is split into three pools. Glacier is in Pool A, along with Havre, Helena and Glendive. Kalispell highlights Pool B, which includes Lewistown, South Mountain and Northern. Mission Valley is in Pool C, as is South Valley and Hi-Line East.

The state champions advance to regional tournaments, held in Lewiston, Idaho (14-15), and Kelso, Wash. (13).

Area teams highlight today's opening action. The Glacier and Kalispell 13-year-olds both play at 1 p.m. Glacier opens with North Bitterroot in Whitefish, and Kalispell faces Mission Valley in Columbia Falls. Glacier and Kalispell play again at 6, facing Helena and Bozeman, respectively, with their field locations reversed.

There are just two 14-15 games today, but both include valley squads. Kalispell squares off with Lewistown at 3:30 p.m. in Columbia Falls, and Glacier battles Helena in the 8:30 nightcap.

The tournament will be highlighted by Thursday's 6 p.m. opening ceremonies at Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Field, featuring a barbecue, skydivers, and a salute to Glacier's 1983 Babe Ruth World Series team.