 Well, Cal Ripken Baseball League is at the forefront in our area once again. The 12 U team from Baxter is heading down to the World Series in Branson, Missouri next week. Clayton Castle has more on their journey. While most kids are gearing up to go back to school, there's a special group of ball players in Baxter gearing up for the 12 U Cal Ripken League World Series in Branson, Missouri. After winning state, the Baxter 12 U team will head down to Missouri to take on the best teams in the country and hopefully the best teams in the world. For now though, the kids are just enjoying the journey. It's been really fun. First win in state now, get to go to Branson, Missouri for the World Series. It's pretty cool. It's been really fun. I mean, we've been working really hard and now to be at the World Series is really cool. Head coach Steve Hansen says this is a special group of kids both on and off the field. What's really special about this team is they're so gritty. They have no problem getting their uniforms dirty. They execute plays, pretty complex plays with ease. So if we have a bun situation or a hit and run situation, you can really count on them to get it done. So they're very intelligent about the game and it's been really a fun experience to coach them. And they've earned this. It's going to be a lot of fun for them. It's certainly going to be fun for us. The kids can hit the long ball, relay to home, and pitch lights out baseball as evidence by their performance in the state tournament. But coach Hansen says that in order for the team to be successful in Missouri, it needs to work on the mental facets of the game. But what they really need to work on most is the mental part of the game. We've talked a lot about that. They know how to hit. They know how to field. What we've talked about all year is approach and how to keep themselves calm when situations might get a little bit tough. Or if we get down in a ball game, how to come back and they've figured out a way to do that. And they've done that a lot better with age as they've grown up. With their last practice behind them before heading down, the team is excited for the trip ahead. Just having fun, playing against different countries and just playing on ballparks from America, it'll be pretty cool. It's really cool being in the dugout with all the boys and just going to Branson, Missouri will be really cool with them. No matter what happens at the tournament, the team can relive its season with the new banner, hanging on the outfield wall at Oscar Christopherson Park in Baxter, celebrating the state champs. Reporting in Baxter, Clayton Castle, Lakeland News. Thanks, Clayton. The team departs Minnesota August 1st. The first game is scheduled two days later and they look like they're having fun, man. Looks like they're having fun and we wish them the best of luck. No, to be 12 years old again, which is so, man, I'm jealous. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.