Babe Ruth baseball: Outlaws on road to repeat

The Electric City Outlaws have begun a winning tradition in the ranks of Montana Babe Ruth baseball.

The Electric City squad of fourth-year manager Dustin Dabler is coming off its first Babe Ruth state title win a season ago, ending the perennially powerful Missoula Pioneers’ stranglehold on the league, avenging a championship game loss from the year before.

Although the Outlaws lost major contributors Christian Wetzel and Bryce Krattiger to the American Legion Great Falls Chargers, as well as a few more to graduation, pitcher-catcher Joe Maney said this year’s team expects to go all the way.

“Honestly, we’re still a solid team,” said Maney, who pitched Electric City to victory in last year’s state title game. “I see us winning it again this year. We play well together. We all like each other and it’s not about any one player.”

Electric City began its season two weeks ago against Class A Legion Livingston, splitting a doubleheader, and pick back up Saturday at Babe Ruth Field against Missoula for a twinbill starting at noon.

The Outlaws’ 13-man roster features a good chunk of returners, including Seth Dabler, Chase Perry, Eli Toon, Bailey Rooney, Joe Greene, Weston Stalsberg, Jordan Wanner and Maney.

“Obviously, we lost some prime talent,” said Seth Dabler, son of manager Dustin. “But I know the team feels really good about it and we’re ready to get the season rolling.”

Electric City, which joins teams from Missoula, Mission Valley, Helena, Belgrade, as well as the Great Falls Hawks in the Babe Ruth League, plays around 40 games a season including several tournaments, offering a less time-consuming schedule than Legion ball.

“A lot of these guys play for us because they’ve got jobs or are multi-sport athletes,” Dustin said. “I’ve got tennis players, swimmers, guys that are in track, and playing with us allows them extra time and I always encourage the kids to play multiple sports.”

In addition to their league schedule, the Outlaws play against several Legion and Canadian teams.

Seth, Greene, Rooney, and Perry all participate in multiple sports at Great Falls High, Eli Toon played basketball at Fort Benton and Jordan Wanner played basketball and football at C.M. Russell High, the latter of which he will continue collegiately at Montana Western in the fall.

“It’s not as time committing,” Dustin said, “but I don’t think any of these guys take it any less seriously than (the Legion teams). All of these guys are about winning games and winning state championships, which is what it’s all about.

“That’s the mentality shared throughout this program.”

Sharing the pitching duties with Maney this season are Stalsberg, Tucker Wilkie, Rooney and Toon.

Maney, Dabler and Perry figure to be offensive leaders on the squad, while Dustin expects big things from Greene in centerfield.

“That kid can range,” Dustin said of Greene.

Drew Brennan and Kobe Linn, two former Outlaws, have returned to help Dustin as assistant coaches.

Electric City’s split with Livingston was a good way to start the season, Seth said.

“They had some talented players, some really good pitching,” Seth said. “We feel pretty solid about how we played, but it would’ve been nice to get two.”

Dustin said playing a tough Missoula club will be a good measuring stick for the team.

“It will be a good test for us,” he said. “Even though Babe Ruth is a little more relaxed, it’s not easy to win state championships. Some of the teams are hit and miss, and some are really good.

“I’ve got some studs on this team, and there’s not one guy I wouldn’t want up to bat for me with the game on the line.”