Community effort helps bring youth baseball tourneys to Libby

Baseball is one of Libby’s beloved traditions and thanks to several community members, a number of fields are getting a facelift in preparation for a summer youth baseball tournament.

Kelly Morford, the long-time head coach of the Post 97 Legion baseball team, had the idea for a summer tournament after taking a local travel team from Libby to other locales for competition.

“Why don’t we have one?” Morford thought. 

After posting a notice online that Libby was planning on hosting a tourney it didn’t take long for other teams to sign up. There will be two 8-team tournaments at the Remp Field Complex, which includes four fields.

One will be for 12-and-under and the other for 10-and-under players.

In preparation to host the tournaments, Libby resident Derek Benefield is spearheading the improvement work at Remp Fields. The complex will be the site of the summer tournament June 14-15. 

“Derek has really taken charge in getting the fields ready,” Morford said. “He’s following in the foot steps of his dad and grand dad.”

Morford’s Loggertown Baseball Club has been raising money and getting its hands dirty in preparation for what organizers hope is an annual event in Libby.

At two April Libby City Council meetings, Morford explained what has been happening in preparation for field improvement work, safety and playability at Remp Fields.

“The city Street Department has been working with the high school softball team and Little League on getting materials for field preparation, site rehabilitation and a road regrade,” Morford said. “We’ve been getting donations from several businesses, including Hecla, Ortho Rehab, Noble Construction, Thompson Construction, Rick’s Rental Equipment and Pinnacle Home Inspections.”

All the work will cost about $17,000 and Morford sought and received a $5,000 donation from the city’s Community Development Fund.

Council President Brian Zimmerman made a motion to donate $5,000 after Morford asked for a maximum of $4,450. Councilor Gail Burger seconded the motion and council was unanimous in its approval. They also received $4,000 from Flathead Electric’s Roundup for Safety program.

The money is being used for new infield dirt/sand mix, new bases, batter’s cages, yellow cap for the fences and artificial pitching mounds so the softball field can be used.

Morford also tipped his cap to Shawn Kannan for his work at the concession stand after it was vandalized earlier this year.

“Shawn really stepped up and did a great job and we really like the use of the baseball green paint,” Morford said.

“We believe hosting a tournament here and bringing in teams from as far away as Helena, Great Falls, Calgary, Missoula and the Flathead Valley will have a positive economic benefit to the hotels, restaurants and other businesses,” Morford said.