I would have to check their official roster before listing all the names. I can tell that John Ruettiger was named the Tournament MVP. Tony Zych was also nominated for the MVP.

The Sparks scored two in the 2nd inning to take a 2-0 lead. The Florida Bombers scored 3 runs with two outs in the 3rd or 4th inning. No runs scored the rest of the way, but the Sparks had runners on 2B and 3B in the 5th. I think everyone except Florida Bombers fans were pulling for the Sparks. These kids played their rear ends off.

I’m not sure how many people understand the magnitude of this achievement. There has never been a team from the north make it to the final four let alone play in the championship game at a National WWBA Tournament. There were 186 teams entered including many of the recognized top travel programs in amateur baseball.

The Sparks finished ahead of top programs like the East Cobb Braves, Chet Lemon Juice, Richmond Braves, East Cobb Yankees, San Diego Show (CA), Orlando Scorpions (FL), ABD Bulldogs (CA), Trombley Baseball (CA), Georgia Roadrunners (GA), East Cobb Astros (GA), Knoxville Yard (TN), Atlanta Blue Jays (GA), Boomtown Prospects (OK), Diamond Devils (SC), Team Carolina (NC), Dulins Dodgers (TN), Louisiana All Stars (LA), SE Texas Sun Devils (TX), South Charlotte Panthers (NC), South Florida Bandits (FL), Central Florida Renegades (FL), Virginia Barnstormers (VA), Savannah Chain (GA), San Diego Gamers (CA), etc., etc., etc. among many others.

The other teams from Illinois and also a couple teams from Michigan also played very well down here. Now starts the 17&U which is even stronger. This one will include even more of the top teams from Texas, California, and the rest of the country. I’m sure the Illinois teams will once again be very competitive.

Anyway I hope the amateur baseball fans in Illinois appreciate the outstanding showing by the Sparks and the other Illinois teams down here in Georgia. BTW, Last year we started a new award at our tournaments called the PG PRO AWARD. The recipient is the team that displays the most professionalism, the most class and the best sportsmanship. There were co winners at the 18U Championship this week. The PG PRO AWARD goes to the Dulins Dodgers and the Illinois Sparks. In our estimation, maybe an even bigger and more important honor than finishing in second place among 186 teams. Chicagoland should be very proud of this group!

Cangradulations to all the players and coaching staff Bill Copp, Jeff Duncan and Kelly Crosby. 186 teams and players from across the country, wow! Playing with class, expected! Go get 'em 17s.

who are the kids going that represent the 17u team. I know they have 2-teams and about 50 kids total at that age group, are they taking two teams, how is the team decided that is going down there? Is it based on what 25 kids are having the best summer?

Congrats to the Sparks 18 team. The two Illinois teams in East Cobb for the 17U tournament are the Sparks 17U and Top Tier 17U.

The Sparks team beginning play in Georgia this evening is Coach Copp's team. I believe there will be two players from the other roster helping out down there, but the majority of the players are from his roster.

WTG Bill!

Top Tier 17U wins their first game 2-1 over ABD Bulldogs of CA.

Hats off to the Sparks 18yr old team and their staff. This is quite an accomplishment and I wish them the best of luck in their baseball careers.

To those reading this site who have never come in contact with Coach Copp and/or Sparks organization, you might be a bit skeptical. But don't. He and they are all what you've read and then some in previous posts. My son had opportunity to play against his teams and play with him and his outstanding staff last fall. Class and Professionalism are understatements. And topping it off, they really DO CARE about all the kids they coach. Major congrats Bill, couldn't happen to a finer coach and organization.

quote:

Originally posted by cowboyfan:
To those reading this site who have never come in contact with Coach Copp and/or Sparks organization, you might be a bit skeptical. But don't. He and they are all what you've read and then some in previous posts. My son had opportunity to play against his teams and play with him and his outstanding staff last fall. Class and Professionalism are understatements. And topping it off, they really DO CARE about all the kids they coach. Major congrats Bill, couldn't happen to a finer coach and organization.

Could not have put it better cowboyfan. My organization would be nowhere near where it is today without the help of Bill copp.

Congrats to the Sparks organization on a mighty feat. This came as no surprise to see this happen with this organization with Bill at the helm.

Way to represent!

quote:

Originally posted by PGStaff:
I can tell that John Ruettiger was named the Tournament MVP.

Any relation to Rudy??

Congrats to the 18U Sparks. Chris Wakefield who pitched the Championship game for them was a very good pitcher here in Ga. He went to Cherokee HS. He was player of the yr in reg 5 AAAA and signed with Northern Il. We faced him and he beat us in the second match with a walk off!

quote:

Originally posted by Beezer:

quote:

Originally posted by PGStaff:
I can tell that John Ruettiger was named the Tournament MVP.

Any relation to Rudy??

Yes. A nephew, I believe.

Beezer - If I'm not mistaken, Bill told me he was his nephew.

Congratulation to the sparks. Keep up the good work Bill!

First off, I would like to thank everyone for the kind words about our kids and program. If you guys could have seen this team play this past weekend, almost everybody at home would have been proud. They played their rear ends off in the heat of Ga. We played three games on Sunday and 2 on Monday.( 5 in pool ) During the final game I caught myself thinking how lucky I was to be involved with such a great group of kids. I looked out on the feild and saw Johnny Ruettigers forearms bleeding, Mike McQuillans Knees bleeding through his pants. Most every guy in the dugout was completly covered with sweat and the red clay of the South. Thats when I realized how lucky I was to be a small part of this event. Thats when I realized that we had already won. I was just very very proud of these kids. These kids went 9-1 during the week but the thing that I was most impressed with was the fact that every single kid ran out every single ball. They were flying on and of the feild like the great teams do.

Secondly,

Would like to thank the people at PG for the award that was given to the guys. More than any accomplishments this team makes or doesnt make this Summer, this award will mean more to me and all the people in the Sparks organazation. Dave, Pappy, and our board are really the guys who should be commended. Without them this wouldnt be going. I constantly tell my guys to surround themselves with great people and make good choices and things will work out. From the looks of where we have gotten to in a short time, its working for me.

Thanks again for all the Midwest support! You would have been proud of this crew. AWESOME TOURNAMENT and cant wait to go to Jupiter this Fall with the Cangelosi/Bo Jackson group......

.

Congratulations to Bill, his staff, and the Sparks' players.

I am not surprised...Bill and his organization are doing all of the right things to achieve accomplishments like this.

There is a lot to be said about playing with heart...too much really, so I won't get started.

Just know that Bill understands all of what it takes to get young players to play up to and beyond their potential...the results being the eventual fine showing they had in Atlanta.

This was no fluke...Bill knows how to lead them.

Gotwood-

I second those statements! Well said.