Blizzard 15u Black finished with a 3-1 record in Vegas
Update ... Follow all scores on LVBA.com
The Minnesota Blizzard will be heading down to Las Vegas for the 7th year in a row and the tournament has become a staple in the program. The Blizzard has played over 400 games in Las Vegas finishing in the top three 11 times while winning three championships. They have played and beat such teams as Bishop Gorman - perennial national high school power house, Northwest Elite and the Utah Horns and also played against first rounders including Bryce Harper and Joey Gallo.
And while the games won and top finishes are fine and dandy, the real tradition of Las Vegas is the trip in it's entirety; starting from the airport, the first for some of the 12u players, having roommates, waking up early, taking the team van to the fields, team outings, the older kids cheering on the younger kids and the overall team bonding is what makes this trip so special.
For many, it is their favorite trip of the year and has provided some memories for life. Below are a few quotes from players, parents and coaches - current and former - on their time with the Blizzard in Vegas for the Desert Fall Classic.
Jolie Mouton, mom of 2014 grad, Rob Mouton ...
"I guess what immediately comes to mind as us team parents enjoying dinner outside on the strip and we kept seeing all these Blizzard players every few minutes and every time they were posing with all these different Halloween creatures they were encountering on the streets.
Of course the best memory was watching the emotion on (Barta's face) as we won that championship!! Very touching moment to watch how proud those boys were to win that championship for you!"
Michael Jensen, 2018 grad (Blizzard 15u)
"My favorite memory of Vegas was when we beat the #1 team in Arizona 8-1. We came together as a team and that relationship has only grown on the field as we have all gotten to know each other a lot better."
Charlie Rubendall, 2019 grad (Blizzard 14u)
"It's fun playing against good competition!"
Tommy Seaberg, 2015 grad (Blizzard Varsity)
"I think Vegas is a great time! It is an opportunity to play great ball and you also get the opportunity to learn about your teammates outside of the game. There is no better way to spend a night that walking around Vegas with the team!"
Mike Ralston, father of 2013 grad, Kasey Ralston
"Getting our butts kicked in the championship game in the 15u championship in 2010 by the nationally-ranked Utah Horns then the next year kicking their butts in the semi-final game then winning it all! Then getting the boys an executive suite overlooking the strip on Sunday night."
Rob Mouton, 2014 grad, (Blizzard Varsity)
"We went into every game knowing we had a chance to win, whether we were behind or up, exhausted or fresh. There was a buzz in the dugout, a contagious feeling that we knew were capable of winning the whole thing and sure enough - we did!"
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"Las Vegas has been a great tournament for a multitude of reasons: 1) The enjoyment of the players get from playing the best competition from around the US 2) the support of the parents at all the games. Umpires and tournament directors look forward to having us come to their events because of our class and positive attitudes 3) and seeing the coaches get satisfaction from the development and competitiveness of the players and the team work within the coaching staff. We are all good friends and we all look forward to all of our Blizzard trips together.
There is a lot more like van rides, chipotle runs, getting ready to play before the sun rises, making new friends with other coaches and players, varsity players asking the 12u players how their game went and watching their eyes light up when the 'big guys' took a genuine interest in how they did, playing on Sunday and at the end of the weekend players saying 'I can't wait until next year!'"
Here we come, VEGAS ! #BlueLove
Adam Barta - Director, Minnesota Blizzard Baseball ... since 2003
12u Nick Onomiya (now 16) in Vegas
Vegas 2011 - 16u with Coach Robinson
Sunset Station - Blizzard home in Vegas for the last 4 years
Hans Alwin, Vegas 2012
Fiedler, Mrosla, Barta, Dresel - Varsity Champs 2012
Las Vegas evening
Blizzard Team | Time | Opponent |
---|---|---|
12u | 8am | LV Rebels |
12u | 12n | SD Swager Black |
13u | 8am | LV Scorpions |
13u | 10:30am | Tomateros |
14u | 8:00am | LVR |
14u | 1:00pm | Colorado Yard Dawgs |
15u Blue | 3:30pm | Charter Select |
15u Blue | 8:30pm | SoCal NTT |
15u Black | 3:30pm | Lodi Crushers BC |
15u Black | 8:30pm | CBA Bulldogs |
16u Blue | 10am | TEAM USA |
16u Blue | 3pm | MBA (Blue) |
16u Black | 3pm | Premier West Prospects |
16u Black | 5:30pm | ABD |
18u Blue | 7:30am | Gauchos BB Academy |
18u Blue | 12:30 | Bellingham Dirtbags |
18u Black | 7:30am | Cascade Crush |
18u Black | 10am | SoCal Rangers |
Blizzard Team | Time | Opponent |
---|---|---|
12u | 8am | Placentia Hawks |
12u | 12n | AZ Boom |
13u | 10:30am | UBA Diplomats |
13u | 4pm | Bucs Baseball |
14u | 10:30am | Los Aquilas Baseball |
14u | 3:30pm | Rancho Rage |
15u Blue | 3:30pm | Colton Nighthawks |
15u Blue | 8:30pm | MBA (Blue) |
15u Black | 3:30pm | RIM Warriors |
15u Black | 8:30pm | RBI Cobras |
16u Blue | 7:30am | Blue Chip Baseball (USA) |
16u Blue | 5:30pm | So. Nevada Blue Sox |
16u Black | 7:30am | Inland Invasion |
16u Black | 1pm | ASA |
18u Blue | 7:30am | SoCal NTT |
18u Blue | 12:30 | Las Vegas Toros Black |
18u Black | 10am | Post 76 |
18u Black | 3pm | Slammers |
2008 - 15u 3rd Place, 16u Runner Up
2009 - 15u Runner Up
2010 - 15u 3rd Place, 16u Champions
2011 - 15u Champions, 16u Runner Up
2012 - Varsity Champions
2013 - 15u Blue Runner Up, 15u Black 3rd Place, 18u 3rd Place
2014 - 16u Blue 3rd Place, Varsity Blue 3rd Place
4-0 Blizzard Varsity Black (2012) - Head Coach Mike Loberg
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