Sisters player heads to CABA World Series

Pat Burke, a star of the Sisters Little League all-stars, has earned the opportunity to participate in the 1997 Continental Amateur Baseball Association World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

The CABA World Series begins August 7 and goes through August 16. The CABA hosts 24 to 32 teams in each World Series, with teams from the U.S., Puerto Rico Brazil and other nations. It is recognized as the finest age-group world series in the nation.

Burke, already a four-time all-star at the age of 12, was playing for the Oregon Baseball Association, a separate baseball league for talented youngsters, when he was approached by the coach of the Oregon branch of the CABA and asked to try out for the team.

Try-outs were held June 22 and Burke attempted selection in the pitching, infield, and outfield positions. He was notified last week that he would be the 12-year-old representing Central Oregon on the team.

The team will practice in Canby at the end of July and beginning of August. Burke will be staying with the coach in Canby, then will fly with the rest of the team to Omaha for the tournament.

When asked if he was nervous about playing with an unfamiliar set of teammates and at such a high level of play, Burke said that he was confident that he would do well and actually knew a lot of the guys because he played against them in OBA.

Burke will benefit from the wisdom of a triple-A coach, a Texas Ranger scout and a pitcher from the San Francisco Giants during his days with the team. He feels that it will be a valuable learning experience and will help him become a better player.

Pat hopes to someday play in the big leagues, especially for the Atlanta Braves, his favorite team, but not before finishing college, where he also plans to play ball.

Pat said that he is willing to devote his winters, springs, and summers to baseball, but not fall because of football.

His favorite player is Fred McGriff of the Braves because of his non-argumentative attitude. Pat tries to keep the same demeanor, but sometimes can't help it, he said.

Pat's little brother, Andy, who played as a teammate of his brother this season, sees the situation basically the same: "Cool!" he asserts.

Pat will be participating in the Sisters all-star tournament which will begin July 17.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Pat for his trip to the CABA World Series may reach him at 541-549-4834.