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Show Wed/Thurs/Fri, July 20-22, 2016 B-7 The Park Record Colorado baseball hosts Japanese team By Pam Boyd Eagle Valley Enterprise EAGLE — There’s nothing more all American than a summer afternoon spent enjoying a game of baseball. Just ask the Ikoma Chuo boys from Japan. The Japanese team is one of 40 participants in the PBR West Championship Youth Baseball Tournament, now under way at locations in Eagle, Vail and Edwards. The tournament includes players ages 9 to 14 and in addition to the international competitors there are teams from Montana, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming and several Front Range communities. The Ikoma Chuo boys are competing in both the U13 and U14 divisions. Back home in Japan, they are known as a baseball powerhouse. In the past three years, the team placed in the top three spots of six major Japanese tournaments. In addition to their athletic prowess, the team earned the Honor Students and Players Award in 2014 and 2015. The team that earns that honor is chosen from more than 600 baseball teams, and it is given only to the teams who demonstrate high academic performance, outstanding character and incredible performance on the baseball diamond. “All of the Ikoma Chuo boys were excused from their last week of school to come to this tournament,” said Peter Moore, one of the organizers who put the tournament together. “To be excused from school in Japan is a very big deal. According to them, they are more than players. They are baseball ambassadors to the United States.” East meets West It’s not every day that international athletes descend on Eagle, so to mark the occasion, representatives from the town planned a special welcome ceremony during last Thursday’s ShowDown Town concert. Chris Romer, of the Vail Valley Partnership, launched the ceremony with an introduction of the Japanese delegation and a pair of representatives from the Pacific Rim Cultural Exchange program. In turn, a member of the Japanese corps shared a thank you letter from Sanae Takaichi, the Japanese Minster of Internal Affairs and Communications. “Those of us in Japan are naturally delighted that the Ikoma Chou boys team is taking part in the PBR West Championships, serving as representative from our country as well as goodwill ambassadors for youth baseball,” said Takaichi’s letter. “We look forward to these young men truly manifesting the fruits of their daily practice sessions and other hard work, excelling to their full capacity at the competition. “On this occasion we extend our most profound appreciation to the wonderful people of the ex- quisite town of Eagle, along with our prayers for the very best luck for all the teams in the tournament.” And then the Japanese delegation and a group of Eagle officials broke the seal on a barrel of sake and invited everyone to share a toast in traditional Japanese style. Of course the tournament players — Japanese and American alike — couldn’t enjoy that part of the fun, but they made up for it by posing together for photos featuring the kind of classic kid mugging that transcends nationality. Everyone returned to the baseball fields Friday for tournament play, and there were lots of spectators who cooled off by waving Ikoma Chuo paper hand fans that were liberally distributed by the Japanese players and their entourage — a thoughtful gift that anyone who has ever sat out under the hot Colorado sun to watch a youth baseball game can appreciate. Score one for the Ikoma Chuo ambassadors. land Patriots special teams player Nate Ebner and veteran Jillion Potter, who was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. The 30-year-old Potter found out she had Stage III synovial sarcoma in 2014. Ebner was kept under contract by the Patriots while training with the rugby squad at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. He was a sixth-round pick by New England out of Ohio State in 2012. Also making the men’s roster are captain Madison Hughes and Carlin Isles, who’s been called the “fastest man in rugby” and briefly entertained notions of trying to make the American track team in the 100 meters. Rugby sevens will make its Olympic debut at the Rio de Janeiro Games in August. USA rugby names Olympic rosters Associated Press LAFAYETTE, Colo. – USA rugby announced its men’s and women’s Olympic roster Monday in a list that includes New Eng- Some of the pets at Nuzzles & Co. looking for love These animals can be seen at Nuzzles & Co. at The Tanger Outlet Center (behind Calvin Klein). Nuzzles & Co. is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m., Sundays noon to 5 p.m., Mondays noon to 5 p.m. for cat-only adoption day. For more information, call 435-649-5441 or go to www.petfinder.com. Tank Lady Kellie Tuffy Tank is an adorable 2-year-old long-haired Chihuahua mix. Tank is an all-around great dog! He is always happy, really easygoing, very affectionate, and always fun to be with. And not only is he adorable — he’s super smart, too! This sweet little guy would be a wonderful addition to any family! Lady is a happy 5-year-old Pit Bull Terrier. She is a sweet girl who loves affection and cuddling. Lady likes playing outdoors, going for walks, playing with her toys and being with her favorite human friends. She would do best in a moderately active household with no cats and older children. Kellie is a very beautiful 2-yearold Chihuahua mix with extraordinary markings! The only thing that matches her beauty is her exceptional personality! Once this girl warms up to you, she is a steady companion. She also gets along well with other small dogs with proper introduction. Tuffy is a handsome 7 1/2-yearold red heeler. He’s very smart and eager to please. He loves playing outdoors and fetching a ball or going for hikes. Tuffy needs to be an only pet — he wants and deserves all the attention for himself! He will make a wonderful, active companion! Akita Bumpty Mimi Missy Akita is a very handsome and sweet 2-year-old domestic shorthair with a brown tabby and white coat. He loves to bask in the sun and cuddle with his human and feline companions. This big guy would love a home of his own where he can lounge around and relax. Bumpty is a handsome black and white domestic shorthair. He is about 2-3 years old. He can be a bit shy at first, but once he feels comfortable with you, he is a playful and friendly guy. He is looking for a forever home where he’ll always be loved and valued! Mimi is an outgoing 2-year-old tabby domestic shorthair. This big girl is a big lovebug, and she isn’t afraid to let you know when she wants some attention! She gets along well with other cats and loves everyone she meets. Mimi would make a wonderful addition to any loving forever home! Missy is a beautiful 3-year-old tabby domestic shorthair. She can be shy and reserved at first, but she is very affectionate once she gets to know you. Missy would be at her happiest in a quiet, comfortable home where she can feel free to relax and snuggle up with her family. Wanted: Volunteers These not-for-profit organizations are looking for volunteers. If you would like to include your group in this section, please email information to copyeditor@parkrecord.com. Please limit your entry to no more than 75 words. After-School Literacy Program Spend an afternoon helping a student with reading, writing or a critical-thinking-based project in this fun, free, after-school, oneon-one, tutoring center. Mega-Genius Supply Store and IQ HQ (435 Swede Alley and 1153 Center Drive Suite G-230 at Newpark) needs adult volunteer tutors to help children find their inner genius. The center is open at both locations Monday through Thursday 2:30 p.m. -5:45 p.m., for students in grades two through 12. Returning tutor training refresher is Oct. 20 (at Newpark location); new tutor training is Oct. 21 (at Swede Alley location). Both sessions start at 6 p.m. Pizza included! Please contact Jaimie for more information: jatlas@parkcity.institute (435) 6558252. A program of Park City Institute. Alf Engen Ski Museum Alf Engen Ski Museum Foundation is seeking volunteers to help with museum operation/tours and archive collections. Responsibilities include overseeing interactive and virtual exhibits in the museum; guiding and educating visitors about the history of skiing and snow sports; and digitally archiving museum collections. Volunteers must enjoy interacting with the public and have a passion for ski and snow sports history. If interested, email connie@ utaholympiclegacy.com or call 435-658-4240. For a full list of volunteer opportunities, visit parkrecord.com/volunteers 1990 26 2016 Introducing... 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