Team Ohio ready for Border Battle XVI

While Team USA and Team Canada will be duking it out as the highlight of the upcoming USA Slo-Pitch Softball Border Battle XVI at Winesburg Park June 18-20, the three-day event will feature some other fascinating action that brings things a bit closer to home for softball fans.

All-star teams from Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania will bring their immense skills to the diamonds as they battle for bragging rights and supremacy.

Event co-chairman Mike Yoder has reached out to assemble the teams, and he said the talent level for Ohio’s men’s and women’s teams should be able to challenge any team stepping on the field.

And it's all locally grown talent.

“What I did in getting these teams from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana together was I simply contacted the coaches in the respective areas and had them put their all-star teams together," Yoder said. "Locally, I talked with coaches here, and we put together a sensational team. These guys have such a good feel for the local talent pool, so it was easy for them to find a lot of unbelievable talent.”

Each state handpicked talent from many different teams, and while most of the players on the local level are used to playing against each other, this time they will get to join forces. The result is a team that Yoder said can compete with anyone at the Battle.

“People want to see the best of the best, and this is it,” Yoder said. “We’re so excited about the competition level of talent coming to this event.”

Ohio head men’s coach Ervin Yoder and assistant coach Kyle Yutzy have been watching plenty of ball to craft a top-notch team that is built around consistent singles hitting and defense. Yoder said once the home run limit is reached, those two assets will be invaluable.

“We’ve been blessed with some real talent from an area in Ohio where softball is as good as it is anywhere,” Yoder said. “I was flipping out when Mike (Yoder) called me and asked me to coach.”

Coach Yoder is currently coaching Wooster Builders, formerly Charm Builders, a program that has experienced plenty of success.

Team Ohio infielder Johnny Schlabach has been a star player locally for a decade. He said great competition always brings out the best in himself, and he knows, having played against his Ohio teammates, that they all share that sentiment.

“This is so exciting because we’re playing the best there is, and I think fans will be treated to some great softball,” Schlabach said. “I 100% am looking forward to playing the big boys because I think we can play with anyone.”

How good is this team from Ohio?

“We’re talented and 14-deep, and every one of these guys could start,” Schlabach said. “Nothing gets you pumped up more than playing in front of a huge crowd, and we expect a ton of fans to come watch.”

His teammate Jimmy Miller agreed, noting the excitement surrounding this tournament is at a fever pitch.

Like many of the Ohio players, Miller has played with and against many Team USA and Team Canada players, and he knows the talent level will be a great challenge, whether it comes from either of those teams or from neighboring states.

“I’m excited for the fans," Miller said. "I want to see what they have to say and how much they enjoy the action. We all feel like we’re ready for the challenge and believe we can compete. This group of guys we’ve assembled is extremely talented.”

The list of talent on both the men’s and women’s teams is littered with some of the most gifted players in the area.

The men’s Ohio team will be under the guidance of Ervin Yoder and Yutzy, with an explosive roster that includes Jimmy Yoder, Ryan Troyer, Jesse Mullet, Jimmy Miller, Luke Yutzy, Jason Erb, Andre Yoder, Schlabach, Joey Miller, Joey Raber, Bryan Yoder, Marion Miller, Jamie Weaver and Brian Hank Miller.

For the women’s Ohio team, Matt Erb will serve as the head coach, assisted by Leon Miller. The team will be loaded with sensational players, including Kathy Miller, Jolene Erb, Neva Raber, Sara Yoder, Layla Troyer, Sara Troyer, Lily Fehr, Annie Yoder, Rosetta Yoder, Eva Yutzy, Twila Troyer and Katy Troyer.

Team Ohio women will play Team USA at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 18, on Field 2, then again at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 20, on Field 1. Ohio will face Indiana at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 18, on Field 2; Ohio vs. USA Futures at 10 a.m. Friday, June 19, on Field 1; Ohio vs. Team Canada at 1 p.m. Friday, June 19, on Field 2; Team Ohio wraps its schedule facing Pennsylvania at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20, on Field 2.

On the men’s side of play for Team Ohio, they will host Team USA in the Thursday, June 18, opener at 10 a.m. on Field 1. They will follow that up Thursday with a 4 p.m. game vs. Indiana on Field 2. Friday, Ohio plays USA Futures on Field 1 at 1 p.m., with a doubleheader following immediately after at 2:30 p.m. on Field 1 versus Team Canada. Saturday, June 20, Ohio faces Pennsylvania at 10 a.m. on Field 1, then will again take on Team USA immediately following at 1 p.m.

The grand finale will feature the Women’s Border Battle XVI June 20 at 7 p.m. on Field 1, with the Men’s Border Battle XVI immediately following. There will be 36 action-packed games in all throughout the three days.

“This is going to be an exciting few days of softball, and we fully expect to be right there competing,” coach Yoder said. “We are expecting big crowds, big plays and a lot of fun, and that it’s a benefit for Jason Yoder’s family is even more important.”

Both teams are sponsored by Walnut Hills and Revolution Athletics.

For a closer look at USA Softball and the Border Battle, visit https://www.usasoftball.com/team-usa/slow-pitch-national-teams/.

A complete schedule listing can be found on that website by typing “Border Battle XVI” into the search location.