TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS 12U ‘AA’ REP DIFFUSE THE BOMBERS AT STAN WADLOW PARK TO CAPTURE THE TORONTO BASEBALL ASSOCIATION (TBA) 12U ‘AA’ CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZE. AS THEIR REWARD, TP 12U ‘AA’ REP IS THE TBA’s REPRESENTATIVE AT THE 2024 BASEBALL ONTARIO (OBA) 12U ‘AA’ REP PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNEY IN MARKHAM.
Tournament Post composed and edited with files and photos courtesy of Marty Harden.
Beneath a lacquered ceiling of warm and hazy skies, the Toronto Playgrounds 12U ‘AA’ defeated the Bloordale 12U ‘AA’ 15-3 in a five inning final this afternoon at Stan Wadlow Park to win the 2024 Toronto Baseball Association (TBA) 12U ‘AA’ Rep Tournament Championship Game.
With their victory over the Bombers, TP 12U ‘AA’ is the TBA’s representative at the 2024 OBA Provincial 12U ‘AA’ Rep Tournament in Markham during the Labour Day long weekend.
In an exclusive post championship game interview with the TPBA website, TP 12U ‘AA’ Co-Head Coach Marty Harden was asked to comment on the his team’s key plays during their championship showdown versus Bloordale 12U ‘AA’:
“On the defensive side of the ledger, we received a dominant performance from starting pitcher Chase (9) and relief pitcher Wyatt (1). Over the course of five solid innings, they combined to limit the potent Bombers to only three runs (of which only one of the runs was an earned run), while striking out two and issuing no walks.”
“TP 12U ‘AA’ shortstop Julian (27) and second baseman Hank (77) turned two nip and tuck double plays up the middle to stymie the Bloordale attack.”
“Avi (2) made a spectacular diving catch in deep centre field that put the kibosh on a last gasp Bombers rally bid in the bottom of the fifth inning.”
“With regards to the offense, TP 12U ‘AA’ answered the clarion call when it mattered the most, by scoring fourteen of our fifteen runs against Bloordale 12U ‘AA’ with two outs.”
“TP 12U ‘AA’ received big hits from Asher (22) and Avi (2), who both delivered respective bases loaded triples against the Bombers.”
“But the real story of the proceedings was Max (29), in his first year with TP, blasting a PAIR of 250 plus-feet two-run home runs out of the park (over the pedestrian path in deep left field) on his way to a stellar 4 for 4 day at the dish.”
The TBA 12U ‘AA’ Tournament was governed by a double knock-out elimination format.
TP 12U ‘AA’ began its journey at the TBA tourney with a take no prisoners 17-9 win over North Toronto 12U ‘AA’.
In its second playoff game, TP 12U ‘AA’ edged North Toronto 12U ‘AA’ 10-9 in a nail biter to earn its second victory at the TBA tourney.
Taking care of business, TP 12U ‘AA’ prevailed 9-6 over East York 12U ‘AA’ for its third TBA playoff win.
In a tooth and nail battle, Bloordale 12U ‘AA’ edged TP 12U ‘AA’ 4-3 to hand TP its first loss at the TBA playoff tournament.
This precipitated a winner take all rematch between TP 12U ‘AA’ and Bloordale 12U ‘AA” for all the marbles.
The Toronto Playgrounds Baseball Association (TPBA) wishes to congratulate Head Coaches Marco Bianchi and Marty Harden; Assistant Coaches Dylan Trowbridge and Jordan Pettle; and the players of the TP 12U Rep Team for their hard work and dedication in achieving championship glory at the 2024 TBA 12U ‘AA’ Rep Tournament.
The TPBA also wishes to commend all the TP 12U Rep coaches, players, parents and family members for representing the core values of TPBA program with honour, dignity and professionalism both on and off the diamond at the at the TBA tourney and during the course of the 2024 season.
Hi! Ho! Hi! Ho! It’s off to the provincials we go!
WAY TO GO, TP!