2010 NFCL Cal Ripken Champions Perfection! The undefeated Strong East team is the North Franklin County Cal Ripken regular season and tournament champions. The team improved to 14-0 record after winning both games of the end-of-season tourney. Pictured (back row, left to right) are Assistant coach Scott Luce, Glendon Howard, Trevor Chaput, Cody White, Luke Romanoski, Hayden York, Coach Scott York, (front) Daniel Luce, Michael Martin, John May, Travis Chaput, Sage Riendeau, Hunter York and bat boy Nathan Luce. (David Hart photo) SALEM — It’s been a long time coming, but it’s back. Post season playoffs for the North Franklin County Cal Ripken baseball league were held last Saturday with all seven teams participating.

In no surprise, the undefeated 12-0 Strong East team improved their season record to 14-0 record to become the regular season champs as well as the 2010 NF tournament champions.

The Kingfield seven! A small yet gutsy Kingfield team hung around the NF Cal Ripken tourney long enough to earn the runner-up title. Pictured (left to right) are Riley Davenport, Danny Ruggiero, Andrew Murphy, Brett Fenwick, Seth Thomas, Tiernan Tooker and Tor Tooker. (David Hart photo) Rain threatened the action, but Mother Nature held back just enough to keep the single elimination games on schedule which started at 8 a.m.

Lack of players to fill the nine positions on the field did not stop action or eliminate teams by forfeit. In fact, teams played on with however many were available and some teams played very well shorthanded.

The seventh ranked Phillips team had only eight players in their 8 a.m. start, but managed to knock out the second ranked Strong West team by the score of 11-6. Logan Boyce pitched 4 innings for Phillips to record the win. Nate Boyce hit two triples to add to the Phillips offensive attack.

Stratton and Avon found that they were tied for fourth place in standings and faced a stand-off in an early game. In what Stratton Coach Kim Kearing called a great game, they moved ahead in the brackets with a 5-2 win.

Then there was the Kingfield team with only seven players and some say was the second best story of the day to Strong’s undefeated run. Coach Tim Murphy played Tor Tooker as his only outfielder, but sometimes backed his second baseman Danny Ruggiero to a shallow right field position.

Playing Rangeley in their first game, Kingfield came back in the fifth and final frame and scored six runs. Kingfield’s Andrew Murphy drove a ball deep for multiple RBIs in the final frame for a 16-15 win and advancement to the semifinal game against Phillips.

The seven players of Kingfield regrouped with a similar game plan and beat Phillips 15-7 to advance to the finals. “The team played great,” said Murphy. “We had good pitching, hitting and fielding. What kept us in the tournament was the outstanding day put in by our outfielder, Tor Tooker.”

Stratton continued to play tough putting up two runs and a 2-0 lead to start the second game against the undefeated Strong East team. In the bottom of the second, Strong’s Hunter York delivered with a bases loaded, three RBI triple for a 4-2 lead. Defense helped the Strong team executing run-downs using players York, Cody White and Travis Chaput.

Strong advanced to the final by winning the game 6-4 against Stratton in a well played game by both teams.

“I think this tournament was a great idea and hope it continues,” said Kearing. “Our team always gives 110 percent and these kids are great team players.”

Stratton Little League donated the majority of concessions for the event, who along with other fundraising efforts, were raising money for middle school sports. This included other donations such as tee-shirts offered by the Strong East team and the trophies for each of the winning team players were spearheaded by the Phillips team.

“I think everyone has enjoyed themselves in this tourney. It gives players a real end-of-the-year purpose. All of the coaches have pitched in tremendously and every single umpire has done a great job, kept their cool and helped make it fun, while at the same time been very fair,” said North Franklin commissioner Julie Dyer.

It’s great to see other coaches cheer on other teams, Dyer said.

The championship game featured Kingfield with its seven players in the third game of the day and Strong East.

In the end, dominating pitching from Strong East’s Cody White prevailed in a controlling win for the Strong East Champions. Luke Romanoski had three hits for Strong. York doubled and singled. White contributed with a triple and single and Hayden York added two singles. Coach Scott York congratulated his players after the game. “You guy are all very deserving of this and each and every one of you have earned it,” York said.

Kingfield became the 2010 North Franklin tournament runner ups.

Dyer also thanked MSAD #58 for contributions and allowing the event to occur on the two fields.