North York 11U Select OBA Finalists

11U Select Coach Donald Feng provided the following re-cap of his team’s weekend at the 11U Dedicated Select OBA Championship Tournament in Hamilton, Sept 2-4, 2022.

Upon hotel Friday check-in, a few players bumped into ex-Toronto Blue Jay left-handed pitcher Jose Ferrnandez, recently signed with the Hamilton Cardinals Baseball Club of the Intercounty Baseball League.  A few autographed balls and selfies provided a few smiles on our players’ faces. Great way to start a baseball weekend.

• Friday – Game #1: North York defeated DKMB London 6-2
  ⇒ Henry T.:  2 for 3, 2 RBIs. (In reality an undisputed HR but scored as a single due to 4 runs per inning mercy rule).
  ⇒ Starting pitcher Pugal K. gave up only 1 earned run in 4 innings.
• Saturday – Game #2: Creemore defeated North York 9-3
  ⇒ Starting pitcher Ozzie P. kept the score close, down 4-3 through 3 innings. However, he had to be taken out due to a finger blister. ⇒ ⇒ Unfortunately, unable to defend opponent’s powerful hitting.
• Saturday – Game #3: North York defeated Mississauga SW 11-6
  ⇒ Lucas L.:  3 for 3, 1 RBI • Nicholas K.:  1 for 2, 2 RBIs • Dylan L.:  1 for 2, 2 runs, 2 SBs, 1 RBI (Walk off single and RBI for game winner)
  ⇒ Amazing middle relief pitching by Henry T. with 2 2/3 shutout innings with 5 Ks.
  ⇒ Then finished off the last inning with a save performance by Yuvan R. with 2 Ks.
• Sunday – Game #4: North York defeated Collingwood 13-10
  ⇒ Henry T.:  2 for 2, 4 RBIs
  ⇒ Closing pitcher Dylan L. dominated the opponent’s offence for the final two innings with 4 Ks for an important save.
• Sunday – Game #5: North York defeated London West 9-8
  ⇒ Liam K.:  3 for 3, 1 HR, 3 RBIs • Yuvan R.:  2 for 2, 1 triple, 2 RBIs • Atticus F.:  1 for 2, 1 double, 1 RBI (go ahead RBI)
  ⇒ Amazing defensive plays by shortstop Caleb M. throughout the entire game including a runner caught stealing tag at second. Absolutely momentum turning point. Next hitter lined out to Caleb M. at shortstop for out number two. And the final hitter lined out to Pugal K. at third for the final out.  Off to finals we go.

• Sunday – Game #6: Creemore defeated NY 15-1    [Rematch of Game 2]
  ⇒ Henry 2 for 2, 1 single, 1 triple
  ⇒ With our sixth game in three days, we were down to our last three pitchers.  Lucus L. continued where he left off with an amazing pitching effort to keep us as competitive as possible.
  ⇒ Liam K. relieved and tried his best to contain the opponent’s hitting.
  ⇒Unfortunately, the opponent was simply the better team and we applauded and congratulated their accomplishment.

Congratulations to our North York 11U Select team as our boys played as a team, through aches and pains, without fear, and with a “never give up” attitude. Our amazing season came to an end losing to an amazing “AAA” rep caliber team. In addition, congratulations to Caleb Myrehaug as our team’s tournament MVP for his amazing defensive plays and timely putouts as our starting shortstop.

We want to say thank you to all the parents, coaches and their sponsors for a great season! Our team started the year as a brand new team with a combination of a few former rep players and new house league players. With hard work, dedication, and more importantly, strong mental mindset and discipline, our boys were able to accomplish the unthinkable.

Congratulations again to our 2022 North York 11U Select team.

North York Baseball Association provides House League and Elite/Rep/Select levels of play for boys and girls 6-18. Games are played at Bond Park in North York. NYBA is celebrating 50 years of serving the community!