Gallatin Valley Outlaw All-Stars: Baseball from the Ground Up
Author: Sharon Potenza
Gallatin Valley Outlaw All-Stars: Baseball from the Ground Up Sharon Potenza What does it take to become an all-star baseball player when you are 10 years old? The same characteristics that it takes to excel in any effort that takes hold of you: grit, work, practice and support. Once in a while, that effort can lead you from the fields of southwest Montana to your first walk on the beaches of the Pacific Ocean.
This is exactly what happened to a group of hardworking kids from communities that surround the Gallatin area. The team members are from Whitehall, Three Forks, Manhattan, Amsterdam, Harrison, Ennis, Sheridan and Townsend. Three Townsend kids played for Gallatin Valley Outlaw teams: Charlotte Collins and Mason Bauman. However, this article is about the team that Townsend team member Tyzer Rains played on. Tyzer is the son of Anya Rains, grandson of John and Lori Rains.
The concept of creating a Gallatin area small-town team, that plays after city league play has ended, was hatched in 1994. This particular team came together as 10-year-olds in 2021. In that year, The Gallatin Valley Outlaw All-Stars played in the East Division of the state Cal Ripken tournament. They were victorious over big-town teams such as Bozeman and Belgrade. This team plays together for 6 weeks. The other teams play together all year. This scrappy Gallatin Valley team has won the state tournament for the past two years. They have gigantic rings to prove it!
The Cal Ripken league you ask? The biggest difference between Cal Ripken and Little League is this: The Cal Ripken pitching distance is 50 feet whereas the pitching distance in Little League is 46 feet. The bases are 70 feet apart in Cal Ripken play whereas they are 60 feet apart in Little League. After age 12, players leave both Cal Ripken and Little League for Babe Ruth Juniors (ages 13-15) and then Babe Ruth Seniors (16-18).
Any kid from the surrounding area can try out for the Gallatin Valley Outlaw All-Star teams. Show up in Three Forks and give it your best shot for speed, pitching and hitting. The coach is then given the stats. If you make the team, you get the call within 3 days. The families pay for the uniforms but there is no team equipment. You bring your own. However, during league play, USSA rules state that only certain bats can be used. No fancy $750 bats are allowed until tournament play.
The teammates have seen each other over the years in this sport as well as in other sports. The coach emphasizes that there are no guarantees as to position or playing time. They must focus and work hard. This particular group of 11-12-year-old boys are kind-hearted and competitive with each other. The support from coaches, staff, parents, relatives, volunteers and sponsors becomes a village. They fundraise for travel expenses by selling water at rodeos, selling 50/50 tickets, having bake sales, barbeques and getting donations from local businesses. A dynamic baseball family at work!
An example of the true grit and determination of this team was evident in the 2022 State tournament. The GVO 11u All-Stars lost their very first game to Helena, 14-2. Did that blunt their attitudes? No. As the tourney continued, they had to play Helena again, this time defeating them by 1 run. Later that day they became champs by trouncing the Bozeman Bucks 9-2. These kids gave their hearts and soul, even when they were exhausted.
Upon winning the state championship in 2021 and 2022, they advanced to Pacific Northwest Regional play. The first year they played in Eugene, Oregon... hence the day trip to the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. This year they played in Kennewick, WA.
One of the coaches said he would keep coaching if the team wanted to participate in an October Fall Extravaganza Rocky Mountain School of Baseball tournament in St. George, Utah. Parents of other well-funded teams (with $750 bats in use) were very impressed by the skills and play of Tyzer’s GVO team. There were 16 teams. The Gallatin Valley All-Stars played 2 games on Friday and 3 on Saturday including the Championship Game against Utah Rake. These gritty boys ended up taking second place.
Congratulations are in order to all who put forth the time and effort that make these jaunty sports stories a reality. Bravo!
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Sharon Potenza
Image 1 Caption: Gallatin Valley Outlaw All-Stars, Tyzer Rains (No. 34) on the far left
Image 2 Caption: Cal Ripken Trophy
Image 3 Caption: Tyzer's Championship rings from 2021 and 2022
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