New London, Clintonville, Waupaca and Bonduel will be the four teams that are playing in the New London Clipper Tournament this weekend. The tournament will be a four-team round robin with a third-place game Sunday at noon and the championship at 2:30 p.m. The tournament lost Weyauwega and Manawa from last year, but gained Waupaca. New London head coach Jim Thorpe says there is still some quality competition to allow teams a tune-up as regionals approach.
“This is a great tune up for regionals. Between Waupaca, Bonduel, Clintonville and us I’m not quite sure who I can see playing in that championship on Sunday” Thorpe said. Obviously, I think we’ll be in it, but it’s going to be tough.”
Despite dropping a 4-1 game to Shawano on Sunday, coach Thorpe likes what he has in his team and is telling his players that like the Clipper Tournament this weekend, they’ll have to get used to winnning four games if they want a shot at Legion State, which he believes they can do.
“I feel like we’re playing really well. I love what I have. We’re starting to learn how to play together and win, so that’s cool” Thorpe explained. We had to teach these kids how to win and score runs and they’ve been doing that.”
The tournament isn’t just an opportunity for the teams to gear up for a postseason run, but it’s always a well-attended event by the community.
“It’s fun. Everybody seems to enjoy it. Everybody likes watching good baseball and right now it’s the time of year that most teams should be at their prime, or find their groove here.”
Check out the current records and results below.
Current Round Robin Records
New London 2-0
Clintonville- 0-1
Bonduel- 0-1
Waupaca 1-1
Thursday July 6
New London 4, Waupaca 1
Friday July 7
Waupaca 11, Bonduel 2
New London 9, Clintonville 4
Saturday July 8
Clintonville 5, Bonduel 1
New London 3, Bonduel 1
Sunday July 9
Bonduel vs Waupaca- 3rd Place Game
Clintonville vs New London- Championship Game