The summer of 2009 will go down in the books as a heck of a season for Powell baseball.Never before in its 100 years has the town been home to state championship American Legion and Babe Ruth teams in a single summer.After capturing the state title, the Powell Babe Ruth All-Stars are competing at the Pacific Northwest regional tournament in Centralia, Wash., this week. The Powell Pioneers captured the state Class A championship over the weekend and secured a spot to compete in this week's regional tournament in Ogden, Utah.The winning seasons and achievements at the state level prove both teams are comprised of talented and hardworking young men. In addition to meriting our congratulations, the hometown teams deserve our support.As they advance to the next level, these state champions need the community's help.Lacking full financial support from the Wyoming Babe Ruth Chapter, the Powell team set out to raise $15,000 last week to pay for traveling expenses and accommodations in Washington. On Thursday, dozens of residents crowded around the baseball diamond for a hamburger during a fundraising dinner at the fields, and the town also supported a car wash for the team.With the Pioneers' success comes the challenge for community members to step up once again to help send local athletes to a regional tournament. As Tribune Sports Editor Randal Horobik wrote last week: “…however long this amazing run lasts, Powell sports fans should be buying peanuts and Cracker Jack (and fundraiser barbecue meals and car washes), hitting the road and root, root, rooting for the home teams.”We know both home teams will continue to make Powell proud.

The summer of 2009 will go down in the books as a heck of a season for Powell baseball.

Never before in its 100 years has the town been home to state championship American Legion and Babe Ruth teams in a single summer.

After capturing the state title, the Powell Babe Ruth All-Stars are competing at the Pacific Northwest regional tournament in Centralia, Wash., this week.

The Powell Pioneers captured the state Class A championship over the weekend and secured a spot to compete in this week's regional tournament in Ogden, Utah.

The winning seasons and achievements at the state level prove both teams are comprised of talented and hardworking young men. In addition to meriting our congratulations, the hometown teams deserve our support.

As they advance to the next level, these state champions need the community's help.

Lacking full financial support from the Wyoming Babe Ruth Chapter, the Powell team set out to raise $15,000 last week to pay for traveling expenses and accommodations in Washington. On Thursday, dozens of residents crowded around the baseball diamond for a hamburger during a fundraising dinner at the fields, and the town also supported a car wash for the team.

With the Pioneers' success comes the challenge for community members to step up once again to help send local athletes to a regional tournament.

As Tribune Sports Editor Randal Horobik wrote last week: “…however long this amazing run lasts, Powell sports fans should be buying peanuts and Cracker Jack (and fundraiser barbecue meals and car washes), hitting the road and root, root, rooting for the home teams.”

We know both home teams will continue to make Powell proud.