[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 13208-13209]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                           BIG SKY ALL STARS

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, Yogi Berra once said, ``I think 
Little League is wonderful. It keeps the kids out of the house.'' A 
team of talented young athletes from Montana spent a lot of time out of 
the house this summer on an amazing and inspiring run all the way to 
the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.
  The Big Sky All Stars from Billings were the first team ever from 
the, State of Montana to qualify for the Little League World Series. I 
applaud the dedication of the teams manager Gene Carlson, coaches Mark 
Kieckbusch and Tom Zimmer, the players, and their families for their 
success and all the miles they've traveled, making Montana so proud 
along the way.
  The team began their run in June and July by winning district and 
state championships back home in the Treasure State. The boys then 
traveled to California where they won the Northwest Regional 
Championship which qualified them for the Little League World Series.
  Of the thousands of Little League teams that take the field across 
the U.S. every season, only eight qualify for the Little League World 
Series. Across Montana folks from Billings to Bigfork gathered in their 
communities to cheer on our all-stars. The team prevailed in their 
first three games in the tournament with heart-stopping victories 
before national television audiences.
  Those three wins brought them to the U.S. Championship game on August 
27 where they put up a commendable fight against the Ocean View All 
Stars

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from Huntington Beach, California. The boys from Billings made their 
home state so proud. They reached their goals by exemplifying the 
Montana values of grit, determination, and hard work. Through great 
team work and encouragement from their coaches and families, these 
young men exceeded expectations.
  Upon their return to Billings the team was greeted by a throng of 
supporters at the airport. The youngsters were also recognized with a 
parade and ceremonies at many local events this past week. I would like 
to join with Montanans from across the state and folks around the 
country in congratulating the Big Sky All Stars on their fantastic 
season and wishing them the best in the future. The lessons these young 
men learned this summer and the memories made will be with them 
forever.
  Mr. President, I ask that the names of the manager, coaches, and 
players of the Big Sky All Stars be printed in the Record.
  The information follows:

                         The Big Sky All-Stars

       Manager Gene Carlson; Coach Mark Kieckbusch; Coach Tom 
     Zimmer; Ben Askelson: #15, left field, catcher, pitcher; Jet 
     Campbell: #2, 2nd base; Sean Jones: #21, 3rd base, pitcher; 
     Connor Kieckbusch: #1, 2nd base, right field; Pearce Kurth: 
     #13, 1st base; Ian Leatherberry: #5, 3rd base, pitcher; Brock 
     MacDonald: #12, center field; Andy Maehl: #10, left field, 
     catcher; Cole McKenzie: #17, shortstop, pitcher; Dawson 
     Smith: #16, 1st base; Gabe Sulser: #4, right field, center 
     field; Patrick Zimmer: #19, shortstop, pitcher.

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