CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Oil Belt Junior League team didn't get a chance to prove themselves on a bigger stage after their state title last year. They don't plan on letting the opportunity pass them by this season.
COVID forced the cancellation of both the Junior League World Series and the regional tournaments, meaning the Texas West state title was the end of the road for the 2021 team. Now, this group from Annaville comprised of teenagers headed to Calallen and Tuloso-Midway are state champions once again and this time off to the Southwest Regional.
The regional will be held from August 5th through the 9th in Albuquerque, NM. If Oil Belt can win that, they would match the 2014 Oil Belt team that also reached the Junior League World Series in Taylor, MI.
14-year-old Blake Quinn is the little brother of Justin Quinn who was on that '14 Oil Belt squad. Blake is "little" in age only, as the 6'5" infielder is looking to help lead his team to the promise land like his older brother's team did eight years ago.
The Oil Belt league has set up a Venmo account to help with travel expenses, as the team would travel straight to Michigan for the World Series should they advance. The account is @OBJrAllstars.