BELOIT, OH- West Branch standout baseball player, Garrison Martin has committed to extending his academic and athletic careers at Thiel College.
Congratulations to Garrison, his family and friends on this outstanding accomplishment.
IRONTON, OH-Canfield’s 10U team knocked in six runs in the fourth inning on its way to an 11-1 victory over Bellevue on Sunday. Mason Erjavic, Jake Smith, Antonio Abruzere, and Calvin Z each had RBIs in the frame.
Mason Erjavic got the start for Canfield. The flame thrower allowed zero hits and zero runs over two and a third innings, striking out seven.
Canfield tallied ten hits in the game. Jake Smith, Cameron Koenig, George Fiffick, and Mason all collected multiple hits for Canfield. Erjavic, Fiffick, Koenig, and Smith all had two hits to lead the team. Canfield will now take on New Albany Monday at 5:30.
Baseball ranks as one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions of fans worldwide
watching their favourite teams and players in action every night during the season. There are
many different levels to baseball, from the game played by school kids to amateurs, college
baseball and Major League Baseball. The latter is the pinnacle of professional baseball, with
the best teams coming from the United States, and we see countless MLB bets placed every
week.
MLB isn’t the only pro competition worth a look. There are also the South Korean and
Japanese leagues where the sport is every bit as popular and well supported as it is in the
US. The schedule is so busy that you will find at least one game of note taking place
somewhere in the world every day. That could be primetime on television or in the early
hours of the morning if you are watching from overseas.
Burning questions
Why is baseball so popular, and should it be considered a worthwhile and safe pastime for
children and young adults? The sport is enjoyed by millions every year, and the benefits of
playing sports far out-weighs the negatives. But when we are talking about kids playing
contact sports, questions are always raging at the back of our minds.
Will it be fun and inclusive for all? What are the injury concerns, and how can you be sure
that the team selected will take care of your child? These may seem like silly concerns of an
over-protective parent, but as any guardian of a young child already knows, we must tread
carefully with young minds.
This article aims to assist as our team of content writers list some of the important pros and
cons of playing baseball. By the end of the page, you will have a better understanding of the
benefits of playing the sport at all levels, from school to professional, but also some of the
things you should be aware of.
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Pros of playing baseball
Baseball is similar to many other popular sports in it is a great way to get and keep fit. Even
playing catch helps burn calories as well as being seen as a great bonding experience
between parents/guardians and their children. But improved physical fitness isn’t the only
positive to throwing a ball or swinging your bat.
There are many little league organizations and clubs available for kids, and that makes it a
perfect way to mix with new people and make new friends. Children forge friendships that
last many years and often extend outside of the sport. A common interest in baseball and a
shared competitiveness help bring together like-minded folk. When kids bond, it also paves
the way for their parents to build friendships.
Baseball isn’t the only team sport popular in the US, but it is one of the least expensive. Not
much equipment is required to join a team, with most clubs providing everything required to
practice and compete, including matchday uniforms, baseball bats, balls, gloves and
protective gear. Anything you need to purchase can often be picked up on the cheap, either
new or second-hand.
The final positive attached to kids playing baseball that we wanted to highlight was the
chance of gaining a college scholarship if the player is good enough. The earlier they get
into a team and the more they practice, the better they will become, and that scholarship will
start to become a reality.
Cons of playing baseball
We flag up a few things we think you should be wary of or, at least, keep in mind. Baseball
can lead to many injuries, especially as a player grows and the intensity of the sport
increases.
Then there is the time. Like any sport, it takes a lot of time and effort to bring your game to
the next level, and some parents believe that time is better spent studying at school. Getting
a happy medium is the goal, but that isn’t always possible, especially when kids become
wrapped up in their new favorite sport. It then falls on the parent to curb their enthusiasm a
little while keeping them focused.
BOARDMAN, OH- It was anything but conventional, but the Canfield 9U All-Star Team claimed the District 2 crown on Thursday 13-2 over Poland.
In a game that began on Wednesday and was postponed after just one inning due to severe weather, Canfield maintained a 3-0 lead through the night.
When play resumed, Canfield packed another offensive punch with a 5-run inning.
Canfield got things moving in the first inning. Peyton Veres drew a walk, scoring one The offensive onslaught by Canfield in the second was led by Matthew Zielienski, Aidan Vasiliades, Noah Oles, Camile Chaumaun, and Angelo Crisucci, who all drove in runs.
Peyton got the start for Canfield. The fireballer went one inning, allowing zero runs on one hit, striking out two, and walking zero. Zielienski pitched the second day in relief
Like Bushey led things off on the mound for Poland on day two, he and Maceo Brannon entered the game as relief, throwing two and a third innings and one and two-thirds innings respectively.
Canfield’s offense racked up 14 hits in the game. Peyton Veres, Luke Broderick, Aidan Vasiliades, Camile Chamoun, and Noah Oles each racked up multiple hits for Canfield. Peyton Veres went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the championship effort.
BOARDMAN, OH- What happened on Monday night points to an old adage that no team deserved to lose a game of this magnitude. Poland’s 11U team gave everything they had, but in the end, Boardman had just a little bit more walking off 5-4 winners to win the District 2 Title.
The game was tied at two with Poland batting in the top of the sixth when Gregory Hann scorched a double that just missed a round-tripper on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.
Poland got things started in the first inning when Keaton Gomon singled on a 2-2 count, scoring one run. Poland then evened things up at two in the top of the fifth inning when Thomas Tsudis singled on the first pitch of the at-bat.
Chase Willis got the start for Boardman. The right-hander surrendered one run on two hits over four and a third innings, striking out 13.
Ryan Metzinger started the game for Poland. The ace went five innings, allowing four runs on two hits and striking out three.
Ryan Metzinger also led Poland with two hits in four at-bats.
BOARDMAN, OH- There was no lack of drama on Monday night, as just mere hours following the 11u matchup of their one-year younger respective all-star teams walked things off, so did the elder- statesman.
Boardman defeated Poland 3-2 on Tuesday thanks to a walk-off walk. The game was tied at two with Boardman batting in the bottom of the sixth when Alek Rudiak drew a walk, scoring the winning run.
The pitching was strong on both sides. Donovan Whippo struck out three, while Zach Marantis sat down four.
Poland opened up scoring in the first inning, when Carson Martinucci grounded out, scoring Marantis.
Boardman powered ahead in the bottom half of the first, when Rocco Haas send a frozen rope over the left-field fence to put Boardman up 2-1.
Poland evened things up at two in the top of the fifth inning. Dom Dolloumo drove in one on a single.
Donovan Whippo earned the win for Boardman. The bulldog surrendered two runs on six hits over six innings, striking out three and walking zero.
Zachary Marantis took the tough-luck loss for Poland. The lefthander surrendered three runs on four hits over five innings, striking out four.
Drew Starkey, Rocco Haas, Alek Rudiak, and Drew Nemtz each collected one hit to lead Boardman. Boardman didn’t commit a single error in the field. Drew Starkey had five chances in the field, the most on the team.
Marantis led Poland with two hits in three at-bats.
Boardman will represent District 2 in the Regionals held in Elyria beginning this weekend.
BOARDMAN, OH- Andrew Marks threw a gem on Friday for Boardman 10U, allowing zero runs and besting Austintown by a score of 10-0
Boardman got on the board in the first inning when they scored one run when Marks doubled.
Boardman scored five runs in the fourth inning. The offensive onslaught was led by Decklan Olesh, Levi Papuga, and Chase Walker, all driving in runs in the inning.
Marks allowed one hit and zero runs over four innings, striking out three and walking zero.
Devin Beautis threw two and a third innings out of the bullpen.
Decklan Olesh, Marco P, Andrew Marks, Michael Feffin, Levi Papuga, Carmine Cassese, and Chase Walker each collected one hit to lead Boardman.
Blake went 1-for-1 at the plate to lead Austintown in hits.
BOARDMAN, OH- Poland just had a feeling they hadn’t seen the last of the Boardman All-Stars. Thursday, they proved it.
Poland blasted past Austintown 12-2 in an elimination game on Friday to setup the championship rematch.
In the first inning, Poland got their offense started. Carson Martinucci singled on a 1-2 count, scoring two runs. Poland tallied five runs in the third inning, batters contributing to the big inning included Dom Delloumo, Colin Simerlink, and Carson Martinucci, all knocking in runs in the inning.
Colin Simerlink was on the pitcher’s mound for Poland. The pitcher lasted four and two-thirds innings, allowing three hits and two runs while striking out seven and walking zero.
Bryce Freudenberg was on the hill for Austintown. The righthander went two and two-thirds innings, allowing 11 runs on ten hits and striking out one. Bryce Stovall threw three and a third innings in relief out of the bullpen.
Poland collected 13 hits. Colin Simerlink, Zachary Marantis, and Matthew Pint each managed multiple hits for Poland.
Karter Oyster went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Austintown in hits.
BOARDMAN, OH- Poland came ready to play on Thursday night thanks to eight runs in the second inning. The rally was led by singles by Thomas Tsudis, Sean Anders, and Gregory Hann, an error on a ball put in play by Ryan Metzinger and Teo Schiraldi, and a walk by Daniel Rohan.
Poland opened up scoring in the first inning. Daniel Rohan doubled on a 1-2 count, scoring two runs.
Ryan Metzinger led Poland to victory on the pitcher’s mound. The pitcher allowed three hits and two runs over four innings, striking out six.
Ben Zielinski was on the pitcher’s mound for Canfield. Ben lasted one and one-third innings, allowing two hits and eight runs while striking out two. Gino Cirruci and Brayden Kohler entered the game from the bullpen, throwing one and two-thirds innings and one inning respectively.
Ryan Metzinger, Daniel Rohan, Teo Schiraldi, Sean Anders, Keaton Gomon, Thomas Tsudis, Andrew Colla, and Gregory Hann each collected hits to lead Poland. The Bulldogs were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Savva Hazimahalis made the most plays with four.
Poland will take on Boardman in the 11U District Championship Monday, July 11th at 6PM.
BOARDMAN, OH- A special team indeed. Boardman kept their winning ways going on Wednesday night when they blanked a very good Austintown team 9-0 in the winner’s bracket showdown.
Boardman’s 12U All-Stars notched four runs in the second inning. The offensive onslaught by was led by Rocco Haas, Donovan Whippo, and Elijah Land, who each had RBIs in the inning.
One bright spot for Austintown All-Stars was a single by Bryce Stovall in the second inning.
Rocco Haas earned the victory on the mound for Boardman. The standout pitcher lasted five innings, allowing one hit and zero runs while striking out ten and walking one. Jack Gocala threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen and slammed the door shut with two strikeouts of his own.
Aeden DeMain took the loss for Austintown. The righty lasted two innings, allowing seven hits and seven runs while striking out one.
Boardman racked up 11 hits. Elijah Land, Jack Gocala, and Drew Starkey each had multiple hits for Boardman. Drew, Jack, and Elijah each collected two hits to lead the team. Boardman was sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Milo Wright had the most chances in the field with nine.
Bryce Stovall led Austintown with one hit in one at-bat.
Boardman will await the winner of Austintown and Poland for the championship game on Monday.