Updated Montana American Legion Baseball Standings

The 2013 State AA Montana-Alberta American Legion Baseball Tournament begins three weeks from tomorrow at Dehler Park and the eight-team field is far from decided.

With the reduction in teams participating at the AA level this season, Eastern and Western divisions were eliminated and the division was consolidated to just one nine-team conference meaning just one team will not qualify for the 2013 state tournament.

As of July 7th, the Billings Scarlets hold the AA top spot at 11-3 followed by Bozeman (7-3) and Missoula (7-4). The Scarlets-Bozeman game scheduled for Monday night at Dehler Park in Billings was rained out and rescheduled for later this month while the Scarlets and Missoula will play Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in Billings.

Kalispell and Lethbridge square off tonight in a key doubleheader. Should the Lakers sweep tonight's twinbill they would take a four-game lead over Lethbridge for the final tournament spot.

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Complete AA Standings

1. Billings Scarlets                  11-3

2. Bozeman Bucks                   7-3
3. Missoula Mavericks             7-4
4. Medicine Hat Monarchs      5-4
5. Great Falls Chargers          8-10
6. Billings Royals                      4-6
7. Helena Senators                   5-8
8. Kalispell Lakers                    3-6
9. Lethbridge                             1-7

Handful of MALB players participating in tryout

Tanner Leenknecht of the Billings Royals and Gage Hinsz of the Billings Scarlets are among five Montana American Legion Baseball players participating in the Area Code Tryouts today in Eugene, Oregon.

Slade Heggen (Missoula Mavericks AA), Brac Warren (Miles City Outlaws) and Jayse McLean (Great Falls Chargers) are the other players from Montana vying for a spot on the Pacific Northwest squad.

If selected for the team, which is represented by the Kansas City Royals, players will report to Long Beach, Calif. on August 5-10 where they will compete against seven other teams.

Players not selected initially may be subject to selection by other regions if roster space allows. Rosters for each team may range from 22 to 30 players. 

The New Balance Area Code Games will be televised live on ESPN3 on August 6.

Black opens season tonight with Danville

Former Billings Scarlet outfielder Justin Black will make his 2013 debut this evening when the Danville Braves host the Princeton Rays at 5 pm EST in the Appalachian League opener for both teams.

Black is one of five outfielders listed on the Danville roster.

The 20-year old spent 2012 with the Gulf Coast League Braves where he hit just .182 in 41 games with five extra base hits including two home runs.

Defensively, Black turned in a .986 fielding percentage as he committed just two errors in 52 chances.

Danville is the Rookie League affiliate for the Atlanta Braves while Princeton represents the Tampa Bay Rays.

College World Series Pairings set

The 2013 College World Series field is finally set and it is shaping up to be a good one.

With North Carolina's 5-4 win over South Carolina on Tuesday, the top-seeded Tarheels locked up the tournament's final spot and set up a date with North Carolina State on Sunday in what should be one of the most thrilling games of the opening round.

The CWS kicks off on Saturday when third-seed Oregon State squares off with Mississippi State at 1 p.m. MST followed by Indiana and Louisville in the Saturday night cap at 6 p.m. MST.

The Tarheels and Wolfpack get things going on Sunday at 1 p.m. before LSU and UCLA wrap things up at 6 p.m.

All first-round games will be televised on ESPN2 with the exception of Indiana-Lousiville, which will air on ESPN.

Below are my first-round predictions.

(3) Oregon State vs. Mississippi State
The Beavers are playing as well as anyone in the country right now and shouldn't have much trouble in advancing past Mississippi State in the first-round.

Oregon State 5, Mississippi State 1

Indiana vs. Louisville
While this pairing screams Final Four instead of College World Series, it should be one of the best games of the week. Both teams come in to the CWS as unseeded and Indiana is making their first ever CWS appearance.

However, the Hoosiers should have confidence on their side as they took two out of three from the Cardinals in a March series in Bloomington, Indiana.

With that said, I'm going with Louisville.

Louisville 4, Indiana 3

(1) North Carolina vs. North Carolina State
It's easy to pick the top seeded Tarheels in this one.

However, North Carolina has looked less than dominant in regional and super-regional play as they needed three games to advance past South Carolina in last weekends super regional and dropped a game to Florida Atlantic setting up a win-or-go home- situation in the regional tournament.

NC State 3, North Carolina 1

(4) LSU vs. UCLA
UCLA and LSU both swept their Super-Regional opponents and looked good in doing so.

The Tigers allowed just one run to an Oklahoma team that many felt could challenge for the title while the Bruins swept 50-plus win Cal State Fullerton by scores of 5-3 and 3-0.

UCLA 3, LSU 1

Nimmo off to fast start in Savannah

Former Cheyenne (Wyo.) legion standout and current New York Met prospect, Brandon Nimmo, has done everything he can through is teams first four games to keep them at the .500 mark.

Nimmo's Savannah Sand Gnats of the South Atlantic League are currently sitting at 2-2 after splitting their season-opening four game set with the Rome (Ga.) and the 6-foot-3, 185-pound centerfielder is a big part why.

Nimmo is hitting .471 (8-for-17) through his teams first four games and while he's driven in just two runs, the former 11th overall pick has scored five of his teams 22 runs.

Nimmo has hit safely in all four games this season, including a 3-for-4 effort on Sunday afternoon in Savannah's 4-0 win.

The Sand Gnats return to action Monday when they host the Augusta (Ga.) Greenjackets.

World Baseball Classic kicks off Friday

Who is ready for baseball that matters? I am, so that means it's prediction time!

The World Baseball Classic kicks off in just a few hours -- at 9:30 p.m. MST on MLB Network, to be exact -- when Australia and Chinese Taipei square off at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung, Taiwan.

This weekend features Pool A (Fukuoka, Japan) and Pool B (Taichung, Taiwan). Below you will find a brief preview and prediction of each of the Pool A and Pool B first round games that run through Wednesday

Pool's C and D will get under way on Thursday with the United States squaring off against Mexico on Friday night in a Pool D contest at 7 p.m. MST in Phoenix, Ariz.

For a complete look at the 2013 WBC schedule, click here

POOL A

Japan vs. Brazil (Sat, 3 a.m. MST)
Brazil comes into the classic ranked 20th in the world and doesn't get any favors as they draw Japan in their opening game.

Japan is the two-time defending WBC Champion and also the host site for all Pool A games.

While the Japanese will be without the big names of Ichiro and Hiroki Kuroda, this will be no match for them as they will start defense of their title with ease.

My Prediction: Japan 6, Brazil 1
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Cuba vs. Brazil (Sat, 8:30 p.m. MST)
As was the case for Brazil in their opener, things don't get easier as they go up against the world's No. 1 team in Cuba.

The Cubans are the favorite to win this years classic and should breeze through this one.

My Prediction: Cuba 8, Brazil 2
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China vs. Japan (Sun, 3 a.m. MST)
Japan, ranked third in the world, and one of the favorites to win the WBC will see a tougher test than they did in their opener but shouldn't have any problems with an up and coming Chinese squad.

China will be without the services of Bruce Chen, who played the previous two classics with Panama, after he couldn't provide proper documentation to be eligible for a spot on the Chinese roster.

My Prediction: Japan 5, China 0 
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China vs. Cuba (Mon 12:30 a.m. MST)
This could easily be a trap game for the Cubans with Wednesday's showdown with Japan looming.

I think Cuba gets the job done but not without some tense moments as china keeps things interesting.

My Prediction: Cuba 6, China 2
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Brazil vs. China (Tues, 1 a.m. MST)
This will be the most winnable game for both as Brazil and China will likely both come in at 0-2. 

I think Brazil will prevail in a slugfest as both squads will likely be running out of arms at this point.

My Prediction: Brazil 10, China 6
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Japan vs. Cuba (Wed, 3 a.m. MST)
This by will be far and away be the best game of the Pool. T

With two of the top thee teams in the world already likely having a spot in the next round locked up, it will be interesting to see how these two play it with each of them likely playing on Friday, March 8th in the second round.

My Prediction: Japan 3, Cuba 2
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POOL B

Australia vs. Chinese Taipei (Fri, 9:30 p.m. MST)
While neither one of these teams will likely figure into the final four mix come mid-march in San Francisco  Friday nights opening round game should be a competitive affair and fun to watch.

While neither squad boasts much major league talent, Chien-Ming Wang is slated to take the hill against the Aussies Friday night and I think that will give Taipei the edge.

My Prediction: Chinese Taipei 6, Australia 2 
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Korea vs. Netherlands (Sat, 4:30 a.m. MST)
Korea lacks major league name power but boasts the #4 ranking in the world and should get past the Netherlands on Saturday.

The Dutch will look to former Atlanta Brave slugger, Andruw Jones, to provide an offensive spark but lack strength in their pitching staff.

My Prediction: Korea 4, Netherlands 2
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Netherlands vs. Chinese Taipei (Sat, 11:30 p.m. MST)
In what shapes to be one of the toughest pools of the tournament, Chinese Taipei will look to silence the Netherlands bats as two of the worlds top-10 square off.

I think the Netherlands offense gets the best of Chinese Taipei in this one and pulls the minor upset

My Prediction: Netherlands 6, Chinese Taipei 5
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Korea vs. Australia (Mon, 3:30 a.m. MST)
The Koreans stay undefeated in pool play here as they squeak past the Aussies.

My Prediction: Korea 4, Australia 3.
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Australia vs. Netherlands (Mon, 9:30 a.m. MST)
The Netherlands, one of the "sleeper" picks by many in this years' classic should have no trouble with the Aussies as they would put themselves in great position to advance to the second-round with a win here.

My Prediction: Netherlands 3, Australia 1
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Chinese Taipei vs. Korea (Tues, 4:30 a.m.)

A Korea win in the final game of Pool B action would lock up a spot in the second round for them and the Netherlands.

Korea gets the job done, but barely, as they just get by the host country.

My Prediction: Korea 6, Chinese Taipei 5 (10 innings)
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Source: images courtesy www.worldbaseballclassic.com and rankings courtesy of International Baseball Federation

Harper should be playing for USA in WBC

United States manager Joe Torre recently released his provisional roster for the 2013 World Baseball Classic that gets under way for the Red, White and Blue on March 7, however there was one notable name -- possibly the most recognizable name in the game today -- left off of that roster.

According to the Washington Times (story here), Bryce Harper reportedly turned down an invitation to represent his country in this year's classic, citing he wants to experience his first full spring-training.

The 20-year old has been the most-hyped player of any prospect in recent memory and is such a polarizing figure that before he even took his first MLB at-bats last April, he's gained many critics with his play and attitude.

Below is a few instances that have landed Harper in the "Not top plays" portion of highlights.

• 2012: Playing in his first MLB game, Harper intentionally flipped his helmet off of his head rounding first base on a double -- the first hit of his career. Now, the reason for this maybe strictly be because he thought he could run faster without it on? But I doubt it...he wanted the cameras to get a clear shot of that awful haircut.

• 2011: Playing for the Washington Senators, Harper struck out looking in the seventh inning of a 1-0 game and was ejected after slamming his helmet to the ground thinking he'd drawn a free pass.

• 2011: Playing for the Nationals Class A club in Hagerstown, MD, Harper blew a kiss to an opposing pitcher following a home-run.

• 2011:  Harper was called out on strikes to end the inning. It appears one of the West Virgina players says something that Harper takes offense to. Harper fires back, prompting both benches to empty.

• 2010: Playing in the JUCO College World Series, Harper was ejected by the home plate umpire after he drew a line in the dirt following a called third-strike. 

These are just a few examples of Harper, who doesn't turn 21 until October, showing he is still a kid and needs to learn how to handle the limelight.

I hate to compare the two, because it's like comparing apples to oranges. But, Ryan Leaf was in a similar situation when drafted out of Washington State and was one of the hottest quarterback prospect in years.

Leaf, who never materialized as the star that experts felt he would be in the NFL, had his run-ins with media and fans -- and later the law -- alike and was heavily scrutinized during is time in San Diego, but you can't help but wonder if those things would have went away had the Great Falls, Mont. native won a few more games or threw a few more TD passes.

Can he become a one-of-a-generation player? 

Absolutely, however, this would have been a great opportunity for the phenom to step up and quiet some of his critics and represent his country on a team that lacks star-power and will likely fail to reach the semifinal round of the WBC for the second time in three tries.