EVANSTON ­­ The 13th annual Evanston Summer Slam took place on June 21-23 at the Evanston Overthrust Ballfield complex and Ross Kesterson Field with 70 games in all taking place over the course of the three-day tournament. According to tournament director Daryl Fisher, 36 teams took part.

“We had teams from Wyoming, Idaho and a bunch from Utah, all along the Wasatch Front, from Brigham City to Spanish Fork,” Fisher told the Herald.

“We can accommodate up to 40 teams, but this year with 36 set a record for the Evanston Summer Slam,” he added.

The Evanston Youth Baseball League sponsors the annual affair for baseball players ranging from age 9 to 16, with proceeds going back to the organization once expenses have been paid, such as medals for first and second place teams. What comes as an expense for the Summer Slam becomes a major fundraiser for the Evanston Outlaws American Legion AA team as the Outlaw players umpire all 70 games while their parents and coaches assist with keeping books and running the scoreboards. 

“From our perspective, they’ve done a fantastic job through the years,” Fisher said. 

“I believe this was the third year the Outlaws have utilized the Summer Slam as a fundraiser. I think it builds some excitement with the younger kids seeing the older guys out there umpiring and gives those older kids some perspective on how difficult and challenging it can be to officiate,” Fisher added.

The tournament format was a four-pool variety with the top-two records from each pool meeting for the championship.

It was all Park City in the 10 and under bracket with Park City 10-U facing Triple-Play Baseball, also from Park City with Park City 10-U winning the title.

In the 12-U division, for players 11 and 12 years of age, a Salt Lake-based team named the Devils squared off against Uintah, an 11-U team from Vernal, Utah, with the Devils winning the 12-U championship game.

The 14-U bracket pitted the Spanish Fork Stars against Elite from Roy, Utah, with Elite emerging victorious.

The reigning champions in the 16-U bracket, the Evanston Trappers, were unable to defend their title from last season’s Summer Slam, falling to the 16-U team from Park City.

Fisher heaped praise on the grounds crew, led by Brent Gerrard. 

“They did a phenomenal job, working the fields in between games,” Fisher shared. 

“Most of the teams coming out of the Rocky Mountain League don’t ever have that luxury and they complimented Evanston on our facilities and the work of our grounds crew,” Fisher added.

Fisher said he thought the tournament ran smoothly and successfully and thanked the players, parents and fans from near and far.

“We would like to thank everyone for their sportsmanship. It was a phenomenal tournament and we look forward to everyone’s support in the future.”
      The Summer Slam is held on the third weekend in June each year. The committe is hoping for a full field of 40 teams in 2019.