Humboldt Heat is state Babe Ruth champ

Humboldt Heat plans to stay hot.
On the heels of a state championship, the 15-and-under Babe Ruth League baseball team heads to the 2011 Babe Ruth League Midwest Regional Tournament. The Heat leaves Wednesday for the trip to Holyoke, Colo. The tournament begins Thursday.
“We’ll play the Minnesota state champion on Friday as we represent Kansas in the regional tournament,” said Jay Carpenter, Heat team manager.
“These kids have worked hard all summer. We played in the Chanute Babe Ruth League, plus traveled around playing other teams this summer.”
Humboldt captured the 15-and-under state championship last Tuesday at Moundridge. The Heat stayed in the winners bracket to the championship contest.
Humboldt defeated Stevens County 2-0, Ottawa 4-2 and Wellington 12-4 to reach the title game. Ottawa came back through the losers bracket and beat Humboldt 6-5 in the first championship game.
The Heat took the second and deciding game for the championship, beating beat Ottawa 3-2.
Humboldt’s Alex Murrow received the  2011 state tournament’s AHHP Award. Babe Ruth commissioners select one player from all eight teams at the state tournament who displayed Attitude, Hustle, Honor and Pride.
Humboldt earned a trip to the state tournament by winning the District 5 tournament. That tournament was held July 5-10 in Thayer.
At district, the Heat beat Girard 17-3, Independence 15-2 and Labette County 11-0. Humboldt faced Labette County again in the championship game and won 3-1.
Members of the Heat are Alex Murrow, Zach Vanatta, Christian Wiltse, Hunter Murrow, Caleb D’Armond, Kason Siemens, Grayson Pearish, Ryan Huse, Caleb Vanatta, Jacob Carpenter and Austin Beeman. The Heat is coached by Carpenter, Sean O’Neal and Dustin Vanatta.
The Heat takes a 20-2 record into this weekend’s national regional tournament in Colorado. Humboldt plays Minnesota. Other teams in the tournament are Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Canada, Missouri and the host team of Border, Colo.
It is a double-elimination tournament.
The winner, which will be determined by next Tuesday, advances to the 2011 Babe Ruth 15-and-Under World Series, Aug. 20-27, in Jamestown, NY.
“I had never been involved in Babe Ruth League competition,” said Carpenter, who grew up in Iola and played American Legion baseball. “But it is a great organization and our kids have enjoyed the season.
“We’re going out and giving it our best in the regional.”