2008 was a very successful year for the Raptors. The team advanced to the championship game in three out of four tournaments, winning the Federal Way tournament, taking second at the USSSA WA State 9U Championships and nearly capturing the 4th of July tournament championship in a close 3 to 1 loss. Thanks to all the players, coaches, parents and especially our awesome sponsors!

Raptors Back on Top as 9U Champs at Federal Way Summer Knights IV Tourney

Both summer nights and summer afternoons were good to the Raptors as they were crowned the 9U Champions at the July 24-27 Federal Way Summer Knights IV Tournament. Dropping only one game during pool play by one run to the #1 seeded team, the Raptors came on strong during the Sunday elimination round winning three straight games allowing only seven total runs in the first two games capped by a 3-0 shutout in the championship finale. Awesome Job Guys !

Tournament Photos>>> Tournament Photos Set 2 (120 Pics)>>> Final Brackets (PDF)>>>

Raptors Nearly Sweep SKIV 9U Skills Competition

Hammer Time!

SKIV Knight of Competition was held Saturday at the Federal Way tournament. A baseball skills competition made up of four events, Home Run Derby, Golden Arm (Accuracy), Road Runner (Base Running) and Around The Horn Plus (9 Position Relay Race). The Raptors won 3 of 4 of the events. Justin was crowned "King of Swat," Cody "Golden Arm" and the team dominated the 9U "Around The Horn" competition putting up a time of 22:09 (even faster than the 10U time).

During the first elimination game on Sunday, Brandon L. confirmed his nickname "Hammer" by busting an aluminum bat in half.

Upon contact with the ball, the top half of the bat went skidding down the third base line. While everyone froze stunned, the other coach was screaming for someone to grab the ball and make the play, while Brandon ran through safe at first. See Full Size Pic>>>

The tourney hosted twelve 9U teams in 3 pools. The Raptors won three in a row to win their pool, but due to the luck of the draw ended up seeded 3rd in the elimination brackets. Instead of getting a first round bye like the other pool winners, the Raptors were forced to play an early Sunday game against the Seattle Seadogs that ended up being a two extra inning affair with the Raptors prevailing 6-5.

The Raptors then proceeded to shut out the #1 seed, Battle Ground Boys 6-0, before running out of steam and losing to the #2 seeded Gig Harbor Gators 3-1 in the finale. Again, the Raptors' "Never Say Die" attitude makes them an exciting ball club to watch! Great Job Guys!

After two days and six games in near record heat, including a marathon two hour and forty five minute extra innings game on Saturday, the Raptors came up just short in the championship finale on Sunday taking second in the USSSA 9U Washington State Championships. Way to battle guys!

Raptors Finish 2007 Season On High Note Winning Battle Ground Blast 8U Tournament

After a rough start on Saturday losing two of three close games in pool play and being seeded 8th, the Raptors rebounded by winning four straight games on Sunday defeating the first, second and third seeds to claim the

tournament 8U

championship. The kids pulled together and played an incredible day of baseball.

While it was a total team effort and every player deserved MVP recognition, special congratulations to JT Thompson (who caught all 4 games in the heat) and Jake Roten for both winning 2 game MVP medals as elected by the opposing team coaches.

VS Battle Ground Patriots 9 -1 VS (1) Matlby All Stars 8 - 5
VS (2) Gig Harbor Gators 7 - 4 VS (3) West Linn All Stars 10 - 3