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HAMILTON — The path to the Ohio Little League state tournament looked different for West Side Little League this summer.
The expectations did not.
West Side will open Ohio Little League state tournament play against Ironton at noon Saturday as the eight-team tourney gets underway July 18-24 in Boardman.
Once again, Hamilton’s perennial powerhouse carries the weight of one of Ohio’s most successful Little League programs. A year after winning the Ohio state championship and advancing to the Great Lakes Regional, West Side returns with only two players from last year’s team, but another roster capable of making a deep postseason run.
Standing in front of the club is another opportunity to add to one of the richest traditions in Ohio youth baseball. West Side is searching for its sixth trip to the Little League World Series after previously reaching the sport’s biggest stage in 1991, 1993, 2007, 2010 and 2021.
Manager Tim Nichting, who is joined on the coaching staff by assistants Ken Coomer, Chris Hilton and Chris Craft, said the road to Boardman lacked one familiar stop.
For the first time in years, West Side did not have to navigate the district tournament after being awarded an automatic berth into the state tournament because of a lack of participating teams. Rather than sharpening his club through meaningful tournament games, Nichting relied on scrimmages to prepare a roster filled with first-time state tournament players.
“It’s always good to have a little tune-up,” Nichting said. “You definitely need one. We’ve been fortunate enough to play some scrimmages, and they’ve really helped us get on track and figure out what we need to do.”
Despite the unusual path, Nichting said the team’s depth has become one of its biggest strengths.
“I feel like we hit all the way through the lineup,” Nichting said. “Our pitching is pretty deep. We’re not afraid to throw a lot of kids out there in certain situations. We play good defense because we work hard on it, and we’ve got good team speed.”
The quality Nichting values most, however, cannot be measured in a box score.
“One of the neatest things about this team is how well they all get along,” Nichting said. “That’s really a neat thing to have.”
That chemistry has been especially important for a team introducing nine new players to West Side’s championship culture.
Only Boone Treadway and Robert Frazier return from the 2025 state championship squad. Joining them on this year’s roster are Caiden Trent, Josiah Infante, Hudson Vonderheide, Zach Hilton, Leo Feltner, Bryson Williams, Finn Dykes, Jack McAdams, Xander Kincade and Walker Osborne.
The influx of talent came after the league expanded its boundaries, allowing more players to become eligible for West Side.
Treadway understands what wearing a West Side uniform means. He also understands the responsibility that comes with being one of only two returning players.
“I just try to inform my other teammates and help them get to where we were last year,” Treadway said. “But we’re trying to get to the next step — which is Williamsport. We’re trying to do what last year’s team couldn’t do.”
West Side’s history provides plenty of motivation. Along with its 22 Ohio state championships, the program has represented Ohio in the Little League World Series five times.
“It’s awesome,” Treadway said. “The program’s efficient. As you can see, there are a lot of state titles and they’ve been to Williamsport five times. It’s pretty fun to be a West Side Little Leaguer.”
Many of the newcomers arrive after playing extensive travel baseball, but Treadway said there is still an adjustment period.
“A lot of these kids are coming from travel ball, so they’re getting used to the Little League rules,” Treadway said. “Once they get used to all the Little League rules, I feel like we’ll be 100 percent better.”
Frazier has embraced the same leadership role while helping introduce the new players to the expectations that come with wearing a West Side uniform.
“It’s nice because I had the opportunity last year, and now I get to be a leader this year, especially with Boone helping out,” Frazier said. “It’s great to have a new team and get to know them more.”
His message to the newcomers?
“It’s a great experience,” Frazier said. “It’s really fun if you make it far. But it’s not very nice to lose, so try and go all the way.”
Nichting credited the work of Coomer, Hilton and Craft for helping prepare the club throughout the summer. Craft, whom the staff jokingly refers to as the team’s “general manager,” has remained a familiar presence around the West Side dugout despite not officially being listed as one of the team’s coaches because of the amount of coaches being allowed in the dugout.
The challenge begins Saturday against Ironton in Boardman as West Side opens a week-long pursuit of another Ohio championship.
For a team with only two returning players, the faces may have changed.
The standard has not.
Continue reading...
The expectations did not.
West Side will open Ohio Little League state tournament play against Ironton at noon Saturday as the eight-team tourney gets underway July 18-24 in Boardman.
Once again, Hamilton’s perennial powerhouse carries the weight of one of Ohio’s most successful Little League programs. A year after winning the Ohio state championship and advancing to the Great Lakes Regional, West Side returns with only two players from last year’s team, but another roster capable of making a deep postseason run.
Standing in front of the club is another opportunity to add to one of the richest traditions in Ohio youth baseball. West Side is searching for its sixth trip to the Little League World Series after previously reaching the sport’s biggest stage in 1991, 1993, 2007, 2010 and 2021.
Manager Tim Nichting, who is joined on the coaching staff by assistants Ken Coomer, Chris Hilton and Chris Craft, said the road to Boardman lacked one familiar stop.
For the first time in years, West Side did not have to navigate the district tournament after being awarded an automatic berth into the state tournament because of a lack of participating teams. Rather than sharpening his club through meaningful tournament games, Nichting relied on scrimmages to prepare a roster filled with first-time state tournament players.
“It’s always good to have a little tune-up,” Nichting said. “You definitely need one. We’ve been fortunate enough to play some scrimmages, and they’ve really helped us get on track and figure out what we need to do.”
Despite the unusual path, Nichting said the team’s depth has become one of its biggest strengths.
“I feel like we hit all the way through the lineup,” Nichting said. “Our pitching is pretty deep. We’re not afraid to throw a lot of kids out there in certain situations. We play good defense because we work hard on it, and we’ve got good team speed.”
The quality Nichting values most, however, cannot be measured in a box score.
“One of the neatest things about this team is how well they all get along,” Nichting said. “That’s really a neat thing to have.”
That chemistry has been especially important for a team introducing nine new players to West Side’s championship culture.
Only Boone Treadway and Robert Frazier return from the 2025 state championship squad. Joining them on this year’s roster are Caiden Trent, Josiah Infante, Hudson Vonderheide, Zach Hilton, Leo Feltner, Bryson Williams, Finn Dykes, Jack McAdams, Xander Kincade and Walker Osborne.
The influx of talent came after the league expanded its boundaries, allowing more players to become eligible for West Side.
Treadway understands what wearing a West Side uniform means. He also understands the responsibility that comes with being one of only two returning players.
“I just try to inform my other teammates and help them get to where we were last year,” Treadway said. “But we’re trying to get to the next step — which is Williamsport. We’re trying to do what last year’s team couldn’t do.”
West Side’s history provides plenty of motivation. Along with its 22 Ohio state championships, the program has represented Ohio in the Little League World Series five times.
“It’s awesome,” Treadway said. “The program’s efficient. As you can see, there are a lot of state titles and they’ve been to Williamsport five times. It’s pretty fun to be a West Side Little Leaguer.”
Many of the newcomers arrive after playing extensive travel baseball, but Treadway said there is still an adjustment period.
“A lot of these kids are coming from travel ball, so they’re getting used to the Little League rules,” Treadway said. “Once they get used to all the Little League rules, I feel like we’ll be 100 percent better.”
Frazier has embraced the same leadership role while helping introduce the new players to the expectations that come with wearing a West Side uniform.
“It’s nice because I had the opportunity last year, and now I get to be a leader this year, especially with Boone helping out,” Frazier said. “It’s great to have a new team and get to know them more.”
His message to the newcomers?
“It’s a great experience,” Frazier said. “It’s really fun if you make it far. But it’s not very nice to lose, so try and go all the way.”
Nichting credited the work of Coomer, Hilton and Craft for helping prepare the club throughout the summer. Craft, whom the staff jokingly refers to as the team’s “general manager,” has remained a familiar presence around the West Side dugout despite not officially being listed as one of the team’s coaches because of the amount of coaches being allowed in the dugout.
The challenge begins Saturday against Ironton in Boardman as West Side opens a week-long pursuit of another Ohio championship.
For a team with only two returning players, the faces may have changed.
The standard has not.
Continue reading...
