Local briefs

STAPLES -- Softball for 14- to 16-year-olds will be offered by Staples-Motley Community Education on Wednesdays, beginning June 14, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Stop at the community education office to register and meet at the softball fields by the elementary school.

Summer recreation events will begin soon. Tennis, basketball and volleyball will begin the week of June 5; baseball and softball the week of June 12, and football in late June and early July.

There is still room to register for most programs.

Little Falls Legion beats Pierz

PIERZ -- The Little Falls American Legion baseball team opened its season with an 8-7 win over Pierz Tuesday.

Adam Czech hit a 3-run homer in the first and Isaac Smieja added a 3-run blast in the third for Little Falls. Mike Schwientek and Pat Krebs were 2-for-4 for Little Falls.

Nate Stumpf was 2-for-4 with three RBI and Dan Saehr 2-for-5 for Pierz.

Little Falls 403 001 0 -- 8 7 5

Pierz 240 100 0 --7 6 3

LF -- Chris Bell, Pat Krebs (4) and Krebs, Bell (4). Pierz -- John Pohlkamp, Greg Pohlkamp (4) and Greg Pohlkamp, John Pohlkamp (4). HR -- LF, Isaac Smieja 3-run in third, Adam Czech 3-run homer in first. Record -- LF 1-0, P 0-1. Next game -- Pierz at Ironton 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Baseball tourneys this weekend

The Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department will host 11 & under and 13 & under National Baseball Congress "Hap Dumont" state tournament qualifiers at Bane and Jaycees parks on Saturday and Sunday.

The 11 and under tournament opens at 10 a.m. Saturday with Champlin facing Waite Park at Bane and Prior Lake taking on Armstrong at Jaycees. Games will continue Saturday and Sunday.

The 13 and under tournament begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at Bane with Andover playing New Ulm Black. At noon, New Prague will play the Andover/New Ulm winner at Bane and Armstrong will play Brainerd at noon at Jaycees. Games continue Saturday and Sunday.

Youth summer registration due

Anyone wishing to enroll their children in Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department summer youth daytime programs should do so as soon as possible.

Openings remain in T-Ball and Lil' Buckaroos, swimming lessons and playground programs. Openings remain for softball and baseball programs at Buffalo Hills Park.