Twenty-four Lago Vista little leaguers brought back their best finishes in All-Star Tournament play when the major and minor boys teams both finished in sixth place during the District 26 All-Stars in Fredericksburg and Kerrville, respectively, June 27 through Monday.
The major’s team dropped its first contest in the 10-team field against perennial favorite Kerrville, 10-5, before battling back in its next game to knock Wimberley out of the tournament with a 17-7 victory. The team’s luck ran out four days later when the host team Fredericksburg ended its run with an 11-1 loss.
The major’s team came a long way in the view of Manager Kevin Smith, given the boys only practiced together for two weeks and had to compete against the best players in District 26 with a shot at continuing to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
“This team came out to play in every game. We came together as a unit in a short period of time and claimed our best finish,” Smith said. “I was extremely proud of all the boys and just wished we could have hung around a little longer as we had such a strong team.”
The minor’s team, managed by Alan Haire, fared even better in its tourney of 12 teams within the district. After a first round bye, the team faced regular season foe Llano. Strong pitching and timely hitting ended Lago’s attempt to move ahead in the winner’s bracket as it fell 12-2.
The team fought back against elimination in its next game when it drubbed the host team, Kerrville Blue, 17-7, and eliminated it from tourney play. But Lago could not keep up the momentum from its first win in years, losing to Fredericksburg, 12-6.
“It was a real honor for me to coach this group of young men. I think they came a long way as ballplayers in a short amount of time,” Haire said. “Anytime I can get an opportunity to work with youngsters I jump at the chance, and this group had a lot of character and fought hard every step of the way.”
League president and assistant coach Jeff Reeb said the respective finishes of the teams from Lago Vista showed how far the league has come in competition with much bigger cities and more participants.

“Baseball in Lago Vista has grown so much the past few years,” he said. “To see our boys go out and compete at such a high level and enjoy success says a lot about how well our league is prospering.”

—Clint Barnes, Correspondent