Magic works magic in 12-U softball

The area youth fastpitch team earns second place at the ASA State 12-B Tournament

By John Denny

The Clackamas Review, Jul 15, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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MILWAUKIE – A team of young ladies who call themselves the “OC Magic” have been making a great run in Amateur Softball Association 12-and-under fastpitch softball this summer.

They’ve played in 11 tournaments, compiling a 45-10 record.

Their biggest accomplishment to date came on the Fourth Of July weekend, when they took part in the ASA State 12-B Championship Tournament, hosted by the North Clackamas Junior Softball Association at fields in Clackamas and at Milwaukie’s North Clackamas Park. OC Magic took second place in the 37-team field.

They breezed through the winner’s bracket of the championship tournament, winning five straight games, before dropping a pair of games to Eugene-based Northwest Thunder (4-1 and 10-2) in the championship finals.

“I think they’re a little disappointed, but they should be pretty proud of themselves,” said Magic head coach Mike Bilyeu. “Any time you take second in the state, that’s an accomplishment you can be proud of.”

The second place finish was a little painful because OC Magic had beaten Northwest Thunder earlier in the tournament, before losing to the Eugene team twice in the finals of the double elimination tournament.

The Magic advanced to the finals through wins over the Bend area Cascade Alliance (9-0), Grants Pass Fastpitch (12-0), Northwest Thunder (6-4), Salem Sliders (9-2) and Banks Aces (12-7).

It’s not surprising that the OC Magic has been successful. The players and coaches practice 11 months out of the year, taking their only break in August.

A year-around

commitment

“Our whole team practices the year around,” said Magic assistant coach Scott Anderson. “Mike has a 4,300-square-foot training facility in Estacada.”

“We’re out there playing in my barn when it’s 25 degrees outside,” said Bilyeu.

A retired Portland fireman, Bilyeu built the facility a couple of years ago as a softball training facility. It’s complete with batting cages.

“My wife asks me why I don’t put the tractor in the barn and I tell her, ‘There isn’t room,’” said Bilyeu. “The barn’s just for softball.”

Bilyeu, who retired as a fireman after 9-11, says he took up coaching softball as a way to give back. He’d coached his children in baseball and softball years ago and he says he sees great value in the life lessons that can be learned through athletics.

“My hope is these girls stay athletic all their lives,” Bilyeu said.

Bilyeu says that after 9-11, he contacted the Redland Baseball/Softball Association and offered to volunteer. He started out as a recreational coach coaching local girls.

Now he holds tryouts for his independent “OC Magic” team, and he’s got players from Canby, Oregon City, Milwaukie, Portland and even Hood River.

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