Chris Bieri/PCT Jaden Munyer throws batting practice to a teammate during a practice for Rugby’s Babe Ruth team. The team will compete in a district tournament in Rugby starting on Monday.

Jim Cameron is hoping his team hits its stride at the perfect time.

Cameron, the head coach of Rugby’s Babe Ruth team, is hosting the District Tournament starting Monday at 9:30 a.m. at City Park.

The team has been in a number of close games, but Cameron believes his team might be primed for a good tournament run.

“We’re 5-7, which is below .500, but I’m hoping we gel for the tournament,” he said.

The winner of the tournament would play Grafton for a berth in the state tournament for Babe Ruth, which is open to 13, 14 and 15-year-olds.

Chris Bieri/PCT Chris Griffin takes a swing in the batting cage during a practice for Rugby’s Babe Ruth team, which is hosting a district tournament starting Monday.

“The last time we went to state with this team was ’08,” Cameron said. “We lost to the state champion, 2-1.”

The tournament will feature teams from Rolette, Bottineau, Cando, Towner and Belcourt/Dunseith, as well as the Rugby unit.

Cameron said the team has a number of good athletes, which has helped

“Our main strength is defense,” he said. “We aren’t hitting the ball like we should be, but it’s coming. Defense has been strong for us all year. Hopefully the hitting will come. I’ve got some leaders on the team and we’re waiting for them to gel.”

One of those leaders is Bennie Mygland, who echoed his coach’s sentiment about the need for more key hits.

“We really need to get the bats going,” he said. “We haven’t been hitting too great lately. If we come together and start hitting we should be a pretty good force.”

Mygland said the team has played a number of close games and he is hoping the roller-coaster season will end on an upswing.

“We’ve had a pretty good year so far, quite a few ups and downs,” Myland said. “We’re hoping we can get it done in the tournament. There’s been a lot of competition, a lot of close games.”