The North York Blues AAA Minor Mosquito team captured its 3rd straight city title, outlasting the competition in what was an emotional TBA championship weekend.

The win was extra special for this tight knit team who played this tournament with a higher purpose. Only days before, the Blues lost a family member, when Blues super-fan, and mom to Kaiden and wife to coach Wiz, Jen Khayat lost her battle with cancer. The boys honoured Jen’s memory with gritty play, sportsmanship and camaraderie that would have made her proud.

The Blues knew this tournament wouldn’t be easy with some of the top teams in the province right here in Toronto. The team came out slow in its first game against North Toronto, falling behind 5-0 before storming back to win 9-5.

Saturday was a long day interrupted by numerous thundershowers. In what was arguably the best game of the tournament, North York topped East York 2-1 in a game that featured incredible defense and pitching. The win set up a semi final match-up with the pesky Etobicoke Rangers, who had given the Blues some problems earlier in the year. This game was never in doubt as a steady stream of Blues hitters battered Etobicoke pitching en route to a 20-3 blowout.

The win put the Blues in driver’s seat as the tournament’s only undefeated team and set up a championship game against rival Leaside. North York would have two chances to win the title but in the end only one game was needed. With the game tied at 3 after five innings, the rains once again stopped play. The weather never cleared meaning the two teams would have to meet Monday night to resolve the championship. After a scoreless sixth, the Blues put up 4 runs in the 7th to capture the TBA title.

The win earns the Blues a much deserved spot in the provincial championships later this month in Burlington.

Posted in 2019 Season, Rep Teams and tagged