Butler's 8U all-star baseball team won all four of the tournaments it competed in this summer. Above, the team shows off the trophies it earned for winning a recent tourney in Slippery Rock. Team members include, front row from left: Graham Hohn, William Rattigan, Abram Richardson, Kaden Walker; middle row: Tyler Rodgers, Mason Gladd, Ike Collins, Trey Callihan, Reid Cuny, Roman Lacey; back row: coaches Scott Rattigan, Tyler Callihan, Pat Hohn, Doug Rodgers. Not pictured: Carter Knapick.

Four tournaments. Four titles.

That's how the Butler 8U all-star baseball team spent its summer.

The squad, made up of players from Butler Youth Baseball's in-house league, earned crowns at tourneys played at Seneca Valley, Center Township, Slippery Rock and Franklin.

While doing so, Butler compiled a record of 19-1.

“We held tryouts in May and even before we played a game, I thought we had a really strong team,” said Butler coach Scott Rattigan. “Between hitting and fielding, we had a balanced team and that's why we did so well.”

All four tournaments were coach-pitch.

“There were times when we really didn't get going until halfway through the game, but we had a lot of games where we scored a lot of runs. All 10 kids could get on base,” said Rattigan. “On defense, we moved kids around, but still played great. It was good competition and there were some very challenging games.”

Butler suffered its only loss of the summer to the Hickory Heat in the first game of the Rock the Competition tourney at Slippery Rock last month. But the team came back to win the double-elimination event by defeating Hickory twice.

Rattigan said few practices were held due to inclement weather, but his players were still able to make the most when given the opportunity to play.

A tournament in Boardman, Ohio, was rained out.

“Six of this year's players were on the 7U team last year. We played in one tournament, at Center Township, and were runner-up. It was a very abbreviated season.

“The kids really enjoyed it this summer. The dugout was always full of energy and it was an all-around good atmosphere.”

Contributing to that was strong support for the players.

“Parents, grandparents ... we had a good following at each tournament,” said Rattigan. “It was especially fun for us coaches, being able to work with the kids.”