Sports

Ely has a new Little League champion and tournament play is here for the league’s top players.
The Zup’s Yankees won the local league title, claiming the regular season championship and then downing the Evergreen Indians 5-3 in the July 6 league playoff championship game.
Brecken Sandberg relieved starter Ryan Fenske on the mound and tossed three innings of scoreless relief to get the victory.
In the third-place game, the DQ Dodgers defeated the Northland Market Cards.
All four Ely Little League teams were recognized Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Field during the annual Little League night at the ballpark.
For the Little League, the focus has now turned to out-of-town competition.
Once again this year Ely has entered two teams in Little League baseball tournament play.
Both an 11-and-12-year-old Ely all-star team and a 10-and-11-year-old squad have begun district playoff action in Grand Rapids.

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AHEAD OF THE PACK - More than 230 people took part in Wednesday’s Janet Gensler Memorial 4 on the 4th race, including Ely cross country and track coach Jayne Dusich (269) and Ely’s Ann Johnson (294). The event is a fundraiser for Ely’s track teams. More photos in this week’s Ely Echo!

by Tom Coombe -

2018 ELY LEGION TEAM after the DQ Classic Championship game. Back row, left to right: Frank Ivancich, Dylan Kienitz, Bryce Longwell, Matthew Schultz, Gage Merhar, Carter Gaulke, Trea Stickler, Trevor Mattson, Tom Coombe. Front row, left to right: Mitchell Peterson, Zach Anderson, TJae Banks, Tyler Housey, Thomas Montana, Nils DeRemee. Not pictured: Jacob Towley, Ryan Quick, Luke Olson, Brett Rosendahl.

by Tom Coombe -

by Tom Coombe -

CLOUD OF DUST - A Virginia runner was called safe at second as Gage Merhar applied the tag Tuesday night at Veterans Memorial Field. Ely won the American Legion game 8-2. Photo by Eric Sherman

STATE MEDALIST James Schwinghamer and Ely head coach Will Helms. Submitted photo.

by Tom Coombe -

The jerseys are the same and the age level is nearly identical, yet Ely will make a major switch when it comes to youth baseball this weekend.
That’s when for the first time in community history, Ely will field a Junior Legion team.
Junior Legion has replaced VFW as the middle level of Ely’s summer baseball program, and the team makes its debut with this weekend’s ’Zup North Realty Classic.
Eight teams, including host Ely, will take part in the three-day event that wraps up Sunday at Veterans Memorial Field.
Like VFW baseball, Junior Legion is largely for players age 16 and under, but a few 17-year-olds make the cut thanks to a Jan. 1 cutoff date.
Across the state, Junior Legion is taking off, particularly for small-school programs such as Ely’s.