Freeport International kicks off, sets week's schedule

Nate Good put on a uniform and played in the first Freeport International Baseball Invitational 31 years ago.

As he got older, he took on a role as coach and gave back during the summer, and those duties included guiding teams at the Freeport International.

He was at the helm of the Freeport Stingers travel team Monday evening as it helped kick off a week of more than 50 games at six locations throughout the area.

An enthusiastic crowd enjoyed some competitive baseball when the Stingers, made up of players from Burrell, Knoch, Plum, Riverview and Freeport school districts, took on the Aussie Drop Bears in comfortable conditions at James E. Swartz Sr. Memorial Field in Freeport Borough as clear, sunny skies gave way to game play under the lights.

“This is pretty cool for our first game to be against the Drop Bears because I am one of the host families so I have two of the Australian players staying at my house for the week,” Good said. “It’s a blast. We had a little bit of good-natured ribbing with who was going to win and who was going to do what. We had a picnic today and hung out with them at another host family’s house. Everybody kind of got to know each other. It was so much fun.

“Playing that first year, it means a little something extra to me coming back every year and being a part of the International. It means so much to everyone who works so hard from the end of the week of games the year before to the weeks leading up to the current year. My kids are super excited, and they look forward to hosting each year.”

Leading into the game between the Stingers and Drop Bears, the coaches for the nearly two dozen teams playing games from Tuesday through Saturday met to flesh out the schedule and discuss any changes to dates, times or locations.

Matt Fryer, scheduling coordinator, led the cordial discussions as everything was finalized.

“I think (the meeting) was the best ever, thanks to Matt,” FIBI president Chuck Sarver said. “The only issue usually is the schedule. We go over the international rules of play. We had some teams who were fussing about the schedule a little bit, but we were able to go over it one more time Sunday evening so we would be on the same page (Monday). The two games we had empty spots, teams picked them up. We are all excited and ready to go.”

Shane Dodd, manager for the Drop Bears, said he was pleased to return with another group of players from Down Under.

He brought two players who know the Freeport International very well. Kye “Big Sexy” Hodges, and Kobi Dodd, Shane’s son, soaked up every second of their stay last year and are here again to celebrate with some teammates new to the Freeport experience.

“I think Big Sexy is going to be here for life, he loves it so much,” Shane Dodd said.

“The only thing that would stop him would be schooling. Both he and Kobi are going into year 12, so it is a graduation year. They probably won’t be back next year, but hopefully many years after.”

The Drop Bears players, coaches and family members arrived in the U.S. on Saturday, attended the Pirates-White Sox game Sunday at PNC Park and met the host families Sunday evening at Freeport United Methodist Church.

“It was great to have Big Sexy and Kobi back and for them to be excited to tell others about this tournament, living with their American family, playing at local ballparks and having fun while they do it all,” Shane Dodd said.

“That is the drive to want to come here. We are so excited to be back and be a part of this week.”

The Drop Bears will play seven more games this week starting Tuesday morning at Swartz Field against the Stark County (Ohio) Eagles. The players, coaches, family members and host families will take in the races Tuesday evening at Lernerville Speedway.

They will return to Swartz Field for a game at 8 p.m. Friday against the Freeport (High School) Jackets and a contest at 5 p.m. Saturday against NWO.

In addition to the games this week, staples of the Freeport International return including the Sonny Westerman Old-Timers Game at 8 p.m. Thursday at Swartz Field, the John “Cossy” Costantino 5K/10K race Saturday morning in and around Freeport Borough and the all-star game and fireworks at 8 p.m. Saturday at Swartz Field.

“I am blessed to be a part of this and have everyone work so hard to bring this together and have it come to fruition,” Sarver said.

“Every year, it is a work in progress trying to improve everything. The games have started. It is for the love of the game. That is what we’re here for. Win or lose, pick up your stuff and then come back the next day ready to play again.”

Freeport International Baseball Invitational

Tuesday schedule

(subject to change)

James E. Swartz Memorial Field

Aussie Drop Bears vs. Stark County, Ohio, 11 a.m.

Kiski 14U vs. Stark County, Ohio, 2 p.m.

Fay West Wolverines 16U vs. Nightmare Baseball, 5 p.m.

NWO vs. Fay West Wolverines 16U, 8 p.m.

Springdale High School

NWO vs. Mashing Pumpkins, 2 p.m.

Springdale A.C. vs. Knoch, 5 p.m.

Freeport Community Park

Freeport Stingers vs. Murrysville Mafia, 2 p.m.

Freeport Jackets vs. Mashing Pumpkins, 5 p.m.

Northmoreland Park

WPA United vs. Kids Count Baseball (Pittsburgh), 5 p.m.

Highlands High School

Pittsburgh Hardball Academy 14U vs. Murrysville Mafia, 5 p.m.

Highlands vs. Hardball 15U, 8 p.m.