Sisters Little Leaguer wins batting crown

Nicky Blumm, a 10-year-old Sisters Little Leaguer, won the Bend Field House’s individual winter hitting championship, prevailing over 33 other hitters.

The Field House, whose owner Jim Richards also owns and operates the Bend Elks summer collegiate wood bat team, conducts an indoor hitting league during January-March each year for players age eight to high school. Players hit in two-person teams and accumulate points based on their hits off of electric pitching machines.

Blumm and his teammate, Sam Claraco, also 10, finished third overall among 17 teams, most of which were composed of considerably older players.

Nicky scored 118 points in the two-week playoffs, 10 more than his nearest competitor. His prize was a wood bat from The Field House.

Both Blumm and Claraco play in Sisters Little League. Claraco is in the minor-A league, while Blumm is the only 10-year-old on the majors team. Their season begins next week and runs into July. Games are played most evenings beginning April 22 on the fields behind Sisters Community Church. The public is welcome to attend.