Babe Ruth regional host boasts local flavor

The Charleston Fighting Squirrels Senior Babe Ruth baseball team that will shoot for its second straight regional championship on its home field has a small but distinct Cape Girardeau flavor.

Coach Michael Minner, a 1998 Central High School graduate, has built from scratch the Charleston squad into Missouri's premier Senior Babe Ruth program that has won the last three state titles.

Two of Minner's players also hail from Cape Girardeau, including starting center fielder Blake Gaddis. Gaddis, a 2008 Notre Dame graduate, is among the Squirrels' top hitters. He also played a key role on last year's Charleston team that captured a regional crown.

Pitcher Zach Wilson, a 2009 Central graduate, is in his first season with the Squirrels. He has been a regular member of the Squirrels' rotation and is slated to get the ball in Charleston's second regional game Sunday.

"They've done a real good job for us, and we're glad to have them on the team," Minner said. "It shows you don't have to stay in Cape and play. You can come down here and play and have a good time."

In addition to Gaddis and Wilson, other Charleston players from the Southeast Missourian coverage area are Oran's Steven Dooley and Scott County Central brothers Mark and Bryan Freed.

Dooley and Mark Freed both graduated in 2008, while Bryan Freed still attends Scott Central.

Dooley has been injured much of the summer, but he was the winner in last year's state title game. Minner hopes he can provide some innings during the regional.

Mark Freed, the Squirrels' starting first baseman, has been a part of all three state championship teams. Bryan Freed provides bench strength in his first season with the squad.

"They've been a big part of what we've done," Minner said.

The majority of Minner's players are from Charleston, with two from East Prairie.

"We've got a good mix of players," he said.

Minner has been the Charleston High School baseball coach since 2007, after serving the previous three years as an assistant.

Minner started the Charleston Senior Babe Ruth program in 2005. The Squirrels captured their first regional title to earn their first trip to the Senior Babe Ruth World Series last year.

"It's nice to know the program has gotten this far," Minner said. "I'm not sure anyone ever expected this success. But I did. We have worked extremely hard to get where we are and I'm proud of the kids and the community."

Charleston is hosting the eight-team, double-elimination Midwest Plains Regional for the second straight year beginning Saturday at Hillhouse Park.

The Squirrels (27-18) open defense of their regional title at 8 p.m. against Kansas state champion Galena.

In addition to Charleston and Galena, state champions from Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and North Dakota are entered.

Jackson, the state runner-up behind Charleston, plays Colorado at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Other games that day are at 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The title game is set for 2 p.m. Tuesday, with an if-necessary contest at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

"It's real exciting," Minner said of again hosting the regional. "Any time we can showcase our city and our community, it's great."

Charleston beat the same Galena, Kan., team in last year's regional final to qualify for its first Senior Babe Ruth World Series. This year's event will be Aug. 15 through 22 in Moses Lake, Wash.

"There will be some really good teams here," said Minner, whose squad went 1-3 at the 2008 World Series. "But we feel if we play good ball we'll be getting on a plane [headed for Washington]."