Duncan entries that comprised half the field secured the top four spots in the 12-team Larry Hopwo Under 11 baseball tournament at the Chemainus Ball Park.
The Duncan Blue Jays topped the standings after the initial four-game series and then coach Dave Evans’ squad defeated the second-place Duncan Rockies in the championship game Sunday afternoon. Duncan Red Sox claimed third place, with the Duncan Yankees finishing fourth.
The Duncan Pirates and Dodgers also participated, along with host Chemainus, Salt Spring Island Green Hornets and Spinners and three teams from Ladysmith - the Red Sox, White Sox and Mariners.
The Chemainus & District Baseball Association did a great job as tournament hosts through a hectic schedule Friday through Sunday, with games played under ideal weather conditions.
Victoria Mahon was the tournament director and Benoit Marien the acting umpire-in-chief. The tournament is a tribute to Larry Hopwo, who served more than 50 years as president before retiring earlier this year.
“It was a fantastic turnout, tons of families,” said Marien.
Salt Spring Island Green Hornets were named the most sportsmanlike team.
“No matter whether they were playing or just walking around, they were very friendly to everybody,” noted Marien.
Chemainus had one win and three losses in its four games.
“We’ve got a pretty young team and a lot of new kids who haven’t played before,” said coach Glen Williams. “We’re mostly focusing on fun and rebuilding at the moment.”
Chemainus used four different pitchers Friday in a loss to the Duncan Yankees and Greyson Miller went the distance Saturday during a defeat against the Duncan Rockies. Chemainus got into the win column Saturday afternoon in a thriller against Salt Spring Island Green Hornets.
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The game was tied 10-10 when “it came down to a stolen base at home,” pointed out Williams.
Carson Williams pulled out the late-game heroics to break the tie.
Hudson Peters pitched three solid innings and Logan Marien closed it out.
The last game for Chemainus was a loss to Ladysmith Red Sox despite a solid four-inning pitching performance from Gavin Plester, with Ryker Dunlop coming in for one inning.
“I think we have 10 out of 13 kids pitched,” noted Glen Williams. “You need a lot of pitchers.”
Close tabs are kept on how much the pitchers are used at this level. If they surpass 25 pitches in a game, they have to rest two days.
Benoit Marien reminded parents these are only 10- and 11-year-old kids and it’s tough to get umpires for games.
“We’re here to have some fun,” he said. “I had to monitor coaches, managers and parents throughout this tournament. It was a fantastic experience, otherwise.”
Many people took advantage of a great pancake breakfast for just $5 at the field Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Meanwhile, Mahon was also tournament director for the U18 event that was held simultaneously with the Hopwo on the Larry Irving Field. Full details on that tournament that included manager Jon Aaron HopWo’s Chemainus team will be published next week.
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don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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