Sep 02, 2024 | Steve Travale | 251 views
13u Cards are OBA Champs
13u Cards take the all Ontario B Championship
What a weekend and what a season! The 13 u Cards had a memorable season in 2024. The team went 31-5 overall- taking home 2 A and below tourney championships -KMBA and Saugeen Shores and a hard fought 2nd at the Mitchell tourney. Building this squad from Sept to April was based on having the "right guys" and the final 13 were just that. Right off the hop October's main message/ team goal and challenge- was being "great teammates" and that continued to show and grow as the season went on with challenges being met and success shared as a team. A committed group of players who loved the game and the "best parent group" who supported them were a big part of the boys having fun, being engaged and developing. Guest coaches-Scott Austin, Owen Krauter, (Rob Butler-thank you for your support:) and other drop in helpers, AM and PM practices, extra BP, skills competitions and nights out on the diamond with the junior team made the learning fun. With great "attitude and effort" ,the focus all season and especially into LDW- the boys were excited to play. After winning the D all Ontario title 2x =head coach Ryan Fraser thought the team should move up 2 divisions and challenge the B level at provincials. Playing teams of all 13u 2011 players was never an issue for this split squad of 12-13 yr olds. A hard fought early on battle with Ancaster helped get the 1st game nerves out and move onto Sat to play a strong Tecumseh team from Windsor who had played 40 games plus over the season. Tecumseh came out strong and got 8 runs early in the game. With no quit the Cards chipped away and made it a "ball game" coming back and scoring 9 and playing solid D to secure the 2nd win. With rain delaying games and getting the 1st round bye-the boys had time rest until Super Sunday. Sun 7:15 am at the ball park is what they played for all season and the boys were awake and ready to play. Now facing a loud cheering and strong Tilsonburg team out of the London loop, proved no easy task- a tight back and forth battle had the Cards respond once again and take 12-11 nail biter. A guarantee to go to the semis and being 3-0 was a good feeling. Waterdown started out also as a tight one but the Cards took some late innings to open it up and pull ahead for a route to the finals. Stratford was the the talk of tournament and we knew a team that played their season the the tier 1 ICBA loop would be good, but the boys knew they could compete with anyone. Stratford also proved to be a solid team and scored first. The Cards responded with a run and solid defense and pitching like every other game. Inning by inning the Cards chipped away and were able to hold on even when Stratford started to rally. This tourney win was a total TEAM effort. All 13 players contributed with baserunning, hitting, pitching, defense and bench support when not playing. Em,Bri,Easton, Carson, Colby, Cade, Rick, Brett, Lane, Lenny, Quinn, Corson and Will made this a season to remember! Well done boys-mission accomplished!