For the last 17 years, the weekend after Father's Day has been significant to Lee Ice.
This year will be no different, with the playing of the 18th Annual Al Ice Memorial Woodbat Classic.
"Tim Hill, my cousin, thought this would be kind of a neat deal to get started in memory of my dad, who was Al," Lee Ice said about the round-robin tournament. "Therefore, 18 years ago we got it started and have been doing it ever since on the same weekend."
However, the tournament hasn't always used wooden bats; the first few years teams used aluminum.
"There may have been one or two other wood-bat tournaments in the area, but we were probably one of the first ones in the state to do it about 15 years ago," Ice said. "It really changes the game in terms of big-run innings, especially early in the tournament when you're facing normally quality pitching. It's kind of an advantage for the pitchers because hitters haven't used wood bats, and once you get in game situation it's a lot different from using aluminum."
The unique opportunity to play with wood bats combined with the chance to play at Kansas University's Hoglund Ballpark has been a strong draw to summer teams.
"It's pretty amazing how many teams start calling around December to find out about the tournament and get placed on a waiting list," Ice said. "It's been a pretty good core, with about four of the same teams. : But I never seem to have difficulty filling the eight teams."
Last year, the Lawrence Raiders were the first Lawrence team to claim the crown since 1999, when the Raiders were co-champs with the Lawrence Outlaws due to a rainout of the championship game.
"It's always good when a Lawrence team wins it," Ice said. "It's a tough act to follow, yet that's what our kids expect. That's what is expected out of the program. Any time you can win your own tournament, that's always a plus."
The Raiders are in the same pool as tournament regulars Dodge City Rangers and Arkansas City Black Diamonds, with newcomers Sam's Service Giants.
The Lawrence team will begin play today at Hoglund Ballpark against the Rangers, the same team Lawrence defeated, 3-1, in the opening game of last year's tournament.
Today's Games
At Hoglund Ballpark
Noon - K.C. Bullets vs. Blue Valley Jaguars
2:30 p.m. - Arkansas City Black Diamonds vs. Sam's Service Giants
5 p.m. - Ozark Merchants vs. Wichita Sluggers
7:30 p.m. - Raiders vs. Dodge City Rangers
Friday's Games
At Ice Field
Noon - Ark City Black Diamonds vs. Dodge City Rangers
2:30 p.m. - Blue Valley Jaguars vs. Ozark Merchants
5 p.m. - K.C. Bullets v. Wichita Sluggers
7:30 p.m. - Raiders vs. Sam's Service Giants
Saturday's Games
At Hoglund Ballpark
Noon - Blue Valley Jaguars vs. Wichita Sluggers
2:30 p.m. - Dodge City Rangers vs. Sam's Service Giants
5 p.m. - K.C. Bullets vs. Ozark Merchants
7:30 p.m. - Raiders vs. Ark City Black Diamonds
Sunday's Games
At Ice Field
9:30 a.m. - Seventh place
Noon - Fifth place
At Hoglund Ballpark
10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. - Semifinals
3 p.m. - Championship
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