State 14U softball tourney starts today

COEUR d'ALENE - Three local teams are among the 13 teams entered in the Idaho ASA state 14-and-under fastpitch softball tournament, which begins today at Ramsey Park.

Two of the local teams begin at 2 p.m. - the Coeur d'Alene Crush vs. the Diamond Bandits of Meridian, and the Northwest Wildfire vs. Western Storm of Melba.

The Lake City Ladies open at 4 vs. the Chargers Gold of Caldwell.

In other openers, it's the Lewiston Stampede vs. the Idaho Sliders of Eagle at 2; the Lunachicks of Troy vs. the Idaho Golden Gloves of Boise at 4; the Vale (Ore.) Dust Devils vs. the Crush/Diamond Bandits winner at 6; the Idaho Xplosion of Meridian vs. the Lewiston/Idaho Sliders winner at 6; and the Boise Blast Red vs. the Wildfire/Western Storm winner at 6.

The double-elimination tournament continues Saturday and concludes Sunday. The championship game is scheduled for Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

The tournament is sponsored by the Coeur d'Alene Recreation Department and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.