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Youth Baseball in Manchester

Open days in Sunny Manchester

The Manchester Baseball Club hosted the first Manchester Open Youth Baseball Tournament at The Allen Field Ground on the weekend of 20th & 21st July.

Saturday saw the strongest teams from the North West slug it out for the Pony Division. Halton Polecats, Preston Mariners and Manchester Saints, all previous league champions and National Finalists excelled themselves on the diamonds. All games were of an excellent standard and very close as the pitchers were on form in the sunny conditions.

"Any one of these teams could have won, there is very little between them" said Chris Woodall, host organiser of the MBC. "The standard in the North West continues to improve every year and this was a show case for our teams." In a three way tie a Home Run Derby which went to sudden death decided the overall winner. Tom Warwick of the Mariners and William Fusi-Rubiano MBC held out at HP to settle the score. The winner in a very nail biting finish was GB Cadet William who held his nerve to put Manchester’s name on the trophy.

The MVP for the pony division was equally a close call; Anthony Warwick of Preston edging the votes for his strong all round performance despite being the youngest contender.

The contest saw many players of the GB teams having just returned from European Championships now playing against each other. "the relationships of the strong clubs in the North West have allowed players to flourish and reach their potential" explained GB Cadet Head Coach Chris Woodall, "the coaching staff of these clubs are totally committed to youth baseball development, and the quality of the youth game has improved all round from working with each other and the GB programme." It was a truly exciting day with a dramatic finale.

Sunday was very well attended with Bronco and Rookie divisions playing on four diamonds, with a senior league exhibition game in the afternoon between the two host teams the Manchester Express and the Manchester A’s. Guaranteed win…. Good idea!

Saints won the Bronco division after beating strong contenders in the final game against Menwith, with GB Cadet David McNeilage ( MBC) pitching almost a no hit game and picking up the MVP award.

In the Rookie division there was a huge turnout, supported loudly by travelling parents and families. Once again Manchester Saints took the honours sharing the silverware with the St Gregory’s Red Hats.

The Open tourney was sponsored and supported by many organisations including BSUK , BBF and Manchester City Council. Caterers and merchandising was well received and made it enjoyable for those supporters who came out in force to support the event. Thanks to all who contributed in any way particularly John Lee of BSUK who made it all happen and threw a mean pitch to open the games… way to go John!

The inspiration came in the back drop of the Manchester Commonwealth Games. "There is no doubt that MBC will hold this as an annual event." said John Eaton the MBC Youth Manager, "we put on our own games and set a standard for all young players to enjoy good quality baseball in the best sporting atmosphere." John and his team of volunteers ensured that the Open was a real success… congratulations.

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