BETHLEHEM, Pa. — North Bethlehem’s little fan was perhaps its biggest.
The youngster, looking all of 4 years old, had come to the Rodgers Street complex on Thursday night to root on his favorite team in the Pennsylvania State Little League Intermediate 50/70 Baseball Tournament.
The seven-team state tournament, which started Thursday, will be held through Sunday at Northeast Field at 2341 Rodgers St. and North Central Field on Memorial Avenue.
While the delectable aroma of hot dogs, French fries and other summer ballgame fare filled the air, the kid was hungering for something not on the snack stand menu.
“We’re gonna win the steak tournament! We’re gonna win the steak tournament!” the child shouted to all who would listen.
"We're excited to host and excited for Bethlehem. It's all positive."Dan Wickemeyer, president, North Bethlehem Little League
The boy's verbal hiccup was eventually corrected, but that for which he hungered was undeniable.
Unfortunately, North Bethlehem did not turn in an A-1 performance in its opening game, losing to Haverford Township by a score of 20-0.
After falling behind 11-0 in the first inning, the locals never recovered.
North Bethlehem remains alive to win the steak, er, state tournament. They play in a losers’ bracket elimination game on Saturday at 10 a.m.
While its team lost its first game, hosting tournament was a big win for North Bethlehem Little League.
'The opportunity arose'
The 50/70 intermediate division is a transitional program for players, ages 11-13, using a 50-foot pitching distance and 70-foot base paths.
The 50/70 division is designed to help players become accustomed to a larger field before moving on to the 60/90 division in their early teens.
“Our league is one of the newer leagues. And as our growth continues, the opportunity arose this year to apply for the tournament.”North Bethlehem Little League President Dan Wickemeyer
The tournament brackets can be found at pastatell.org/Brackets/24-IB.htm
Some games will be live-streamed at youtube.com/@NorthBethlehemLL
North Bethlehem was formed in 2019 with the merger of City Line, Northeast and North Central Little Leagues.
The league was awarded the state tournament in May.
“Little League has a rotation for the different sections within the state that will get to host the tournament,” North Bethlehem Little League President Dan Wickemeyer said.
“Our league is one of the newer leagues. And as our growth continues, the opportunity arose this year to apply for the tournament.”
The tournament winner advances to the East Region tournament, July 20-25 in Dover, Delaware.
The East Region champion advances to the 12-team, 50/70 Little League World Series, July 28-Aug. 4 in Livermore, California, near San Francisco.
Only the sign remains
Leagues throughout Pennsylvania that have had a 50/70
division for several years were given advance time to prepare to hold the state tournament, even as early as January.
But since the 50/70 division was only added to the North Bethlehem league this year, the time for the league to prepare for the tournament has been short.
“This is so exciting for our league and Bethlehem. All these kids from all over the state coming here. This is just so good for Bethlehem.”North Bethlehem Little League Treasurer Dana Reaser
“We got the go-ahead in the middle of May,” Wickemeyer said. “So it took a lot of work to pull this together. We’re excited to host and excited for Bethlehem. It’s all positive.”
Hosting a state tournament comes with a financial consideration. The player/family banquet held at the Rodgers field on Wednesday night cost about $10,000.
“We lean on our sponsors and revenue from snack stands and raffles,” Wickenmeyer said.
“It’s expensive. But we met as a board and discussed this opportunity. We wanted to grow; that’s the premise and concept of our league.
"We wanted an opportunity to run a state tournament and get the league’s name out there.”
The state tournament brings with it an economic benefit to Bethlehem and the greater Lehigh Valley.
About 100 players, plus coaches, family and friends, some from as distant as the Northwest part of the state, will stay in hotels and frequent restaurants and other shops in the area.
“This is so exciting for our league and Bethlehem,” North Bethlehem Little League Treasurer Dana Reaser said.
“All these kids from all over the state coming here. This is just so good for Bethlehem.”
