Photos: Berkley Cubs Win Summer Classic Title

The 13-and-younger Berkley Cubs team used a pair of home runs to power an 11-3, five-inning, victory over the Sterling Heights Nationals on Sunday afternoon in the title game of the Berkley Dads' Club Summer Classic.

Homers from Cole Maten and Ian Melrose paced the Cubs, while solid pitching from starter Ryan Austin and relief pitcher Zach Leonard was enough to propel the team to the title.

The win assured that at least one of the trophies from this year's Summer Classic will stay in Berkley – the other were earned by the Troy Bulldogs (9 and younger), Dearborn Heights Diamondbacks (10 and younger), Bloomfield Sting (11 and younger), Michigan Red Sox (12 and younger) and the Anchor Bay Angels (14 and younger).

"It was a great tournament this year," Summer Classic director Steve Goedker said. "I had parents come up to me and say how much they liked the tournament. Also, how they liked the fact that these parks were in the middle of neighborhoods."

The event, which kicked off Friday, took place at several locations throughout the city, including Merchants Fields, Angell Field, Lazenby Field and Community Fields.

Berkley came together for the sixth annual event, past Dad's Club president Mike Dooley said.

"It has always been that way," Dooley said. "The entire community has been supportive, very supportive. We get people who just live in the neighborhood come and watch some of the games. It's really great."

With 40 teams in this year's tourney, there was plenty of baseball for fans to watch – and the popularity of the event is incredible, Goedker says.

"We've got a waiting list for teams," Goedker said. "But none of it could happen without the volunteers. It's really the kids tournament, but the volunteers make it happen."

Nearly 25 volunteers take part in the Summer Classic, but even more help put the whole thing together. From raking the fields and chalking new lines between games, to helping with concessions – it is a team effort to pull off such an event.

"The kids really love it," Dooley said. "That's what matters. That makes it worth it."

Goedker says the Dad's Club will start planning next year's event in January.