Beecroft named Elmhurst American Legion team MVP
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
Fenton wrestler Dylan Butts was part of the Team Illinois contingent that competed at the recent prestigious Greco-Roman junior nationals tournament in Fargo, N.D.
Butts, wrestling at 182 pounds, lost his first match to a wrestler from Minnesota by an 8-6 score. He then won his first consolation round match by a 12-8 score over a wrestler from Oregon. Butts lost 4-2 to an Alabama wrestler in his second consolation round match.
Team Illinois won the national title in Greco-Roman.
Beecroft named Legion MVP
The Elmhurst American Legion Post 187 baseball team recently announced its postseason awards.
Individual award winners were honored during the team’s banquet in late July at the Post 187 American Legion hall in Elmhurst.
Fenton’s Tim Beecroft was named the Muddogs’ most valuable player. Beecroft hit .400 with a .538 on-base percentage and a .500 slugging percentage. He scored five runs, had one double, one triple, one home run, six RBI and three stolen bases.
Beecroft also earned the team’s top offensive player award.
IC Catholic Prep’s Austin Reed was named the team’s pitcher of the year. Reed went 2-1 with a 2.37 ERA. He allowed 11 hits and five earned runs in 31 innings. He struck out 35, while walking nine.
York’s Mike Bernal was named the team’s top defensive player. He had a fielding percentage of .977. He made only two errors in 88 total chances and was involved in the turning of two double plays.
York’s Tamaine Durr was the winner of the team hustle ward. He stole six bases.
Post 187 finished second in the 11th district tournament and advanced to the 2nd division tournament this season.
Muddogs’ coach Mike Biondo also announced the formation of a junior Legion team in Elmhurst next season.
In order to play for the newly created 17U Muddogs team for the 2018 summer season, a player must be 17 years of age or younger before December 2018. No players younger than 15 years old are allowed to play.
The cost to play is $800. That fee includes covering expenses such as team insurance, field use, equipment, umpires, full-button camo jersey, pants, belt, a flex-fit hat and playing in four sanctioned American Legion baseball tournaments. One tournament will be held in Nashville where hotel and travel will be paid for.
Payments can be made in full or can be paid in monthly increments starting Jan. 3. The initial deposit is $300. Contact coach Biondo at 630-270-7749 or at [email protected] for fundraising options that would go toward the registration fee.
Biondo said tryouts for the 17U team will be held in late August. Players interested in trying out for the 17U team must complete a tryout form prior to the tryout. To obtain that, contact him at [email protected].
