The Mason-Dixon Baseball Tournament remains a magnet for young players six decades after its inaugural event at Allen Field.

Bret Stabley felt the pull of the tournament when he and his teammates from Red Lion played in it during the summers of 1981 and 1982.

"Youth tournaments weren't so plentiful then," Stabley said on Sunday afternoon. "It was a big deal to come in here (Hoffman Stadium) and play under the lights."

Stabley returned to the Memorial Park complex this weekend as the coach of the York Young Revs team that competed in the 63rd Mason-Dixon tournament.

"The difference between now and when I played is that there are more traveling teams involved in the tournament," Stabley said. "Back then, it was recreation league all-star teams."

Stabley's son, Tyler, 12, plays for the York Young Revs.

On Friday night, the York Young Revs took on another local team, the Mason-Dixon Ruffnecks. The Ruffnecks' coach, Jody Myers, played in the Mason-Dixon tournament in the mid-1980s. Myers' son, Drake, 12, plays for the Ruffnecks.

"We both played baseball so long, and it was joy to watch them (Tyler and Drake) come and compete," Stabley said. "The Mason-Dixon has always been a prestigious event."

 ---

Bill Fink has been part of the Mason-Dixon Tournament, in one capacity or another, for 41 years.

Fink is currently the tournament director, but he was also an assistant coach and a head coach of Mason-Dixon teams. Fink's brother, Dennis, is in his 23rd year as assistant tournament director.

"I made him (Dennis) promise, if I give it up, he'll take over," Bill Fink said. "There was a time I had to do just about everything, but not anymore. The Young Revs have done a great job getting things done to help make the tournament run smoothly."

This year's tournament featured eight teams: four from Pennsylvania, three from Maryland and one from New York. Just four teams entered as recently as 2005.

During the 1960s and 1970s, 20 or more teams routinely entered the tournament. Of course, there weren't nearly as many tournaments available to teams in those days.

 ---

The Olney (Md.) Pirates ended up winning the 2012 event with a 13-1 triumph over the Young Revs in the finals.

Olney finished the tournament at 6-0, while the Young Revs ended up at 5-1.

-- Reach Dick Vanolin da at dvanolinda@york dispatch.com.