By Ray Hamill — Get ready for one of the busiest weekends of the year for local baseball.

On Thursday, the Humboldt Eagles will host their annual summer tournaments for 17Us and 19Us, with the action taking place at Belotti Field across from the Redwood Acres and the Redwood Fields in Cutten.

The Eagles 18Us will open on Thursday night against the Colts C team at Belotti Field, with first pitch set for 7:30 p.m.

The local American Legion club traveled for the Firecracker Classic tournament win Fairfield last week and saw an impressive five-game winning streak end with four losses in four tournament games.

Numbers limited the Eagles, with just 10 players traveling for the tournament.

But those 10 players all played a big role on a team that head coach Tommy Gale said is bonding because of being shorthanded.

“It has been real tough, and I think one of the hardest parts is having guys play out of position,” Gale said. “But they’re having so much fun playing together and that’s what baseball is all about.

“And I think it’s actually bringing the team together. It’s been a great summer.”

It’s been a particularly good summer for Michael Manzi, who has been among the Eagles’ most impressive players through the first half of the campaign as he gets set for his senior year of high school baseball.

And Gale, who also coaches the Eureka Loggers, is enjoying working with the St. Bernard’s standout.

“One guy that has been stepping up and impressing me is Michael Manzi,” the Eagles coach said of the catcher/shortstop. “Really it’s my first look at him this summer, and the kid is an athlete.

“We can put him anywhere, and he’s been fun to watch.”

Recent Del Norte graduate Aidan Rice also has impressed the coach with his attitude and game this summer, as he gets set to take his talents to Shasta College in the fall.

“I think the attitude of Aidan Rice has bene really refreshing,” Gale said. “He’s a very coachable and respectful kid.”

The talented all-around player, who was an all-league selection with the Warriors in the spring, has seen time mostly in right field, but has also contributed at shortstop and on the mound.

Eureka High’s Garrett Levitt also is enjoying a big summer with the Eagles.

“Garrett Levitt is becoming an absolute superstar,” said Gale, who also coaches Levitt in high school. “He’s really starting to blossom. He covers incredible ground in the outfield. He’s been very impressive.”