Before the All Star game would begin, we sparked up the BBQ and kicked back to enjoy four Skills events that were open to all RYBL Rookie Girls. First up was the Accuracy Throwing competition. From 35 feet away, the girls lined up to hit a target behind home plate in a closely contested match-up that came down to a tie breaker that was finally won by Chase Buckland of the Black Mustangs. Next up was the Fastest Runner competition where the girls were timed as they sped around all of the bases. In another close competition, Alejandra Dovale-Puig of the Green Gators took the title as Fastest Runner. The Distance Throwing competition was next where Meg Lipscomb of the Green Gators showcased a phenomenal arm by nearly throwing the ball 100 feet to take the Distance Throwing title. And finally, in her first year of baseball Bronach O’Neil King of the Black Mustangs not only made the All Star game, but she also won the Home Run competition by hitting two round-trippers.
With everyone enjoying hamburgers and hotdogs and the excitement of the Skills competitions still buzzing, we kicked off the All Star game. The All Star participants were split into Team Red (consisting of players from the Foxes/Gators/Lions) and Team Blue (Mustangs/Dolphins/Pandas) with guest coaches Anisha and Vicky from the Toronto Fusion leading the teams respectively. Right from the start, it was clear that these girls all belonged on this stage. A remarkable game that included slick double-plays, monster home runs and clever slides came down to the last batter; Meg Lipscomb with the bases loaded. Saving her best for last, she crushed a ball deep to left field for the Walk-Off Game Winning Grand Slam lifting Team Red to a 20-18 victory. This earned Meg the Team Red MVP, while Genevieve Ezman of the White Pandas earned the MVP nod for Team Blue.
What a fitting ending to a fantastic afternoon of baseball.
Thank you to the people that made the afternoon a success: our sponsor Now Destinations, Vicky and Anisha from the Toronto Fusion, our coaches/volunteers (Philippe Buckland, Debbie Bland, Keith Bland, Diane Chambilomatis, Paul Lewicki, Jim Cardone, Carrie Lavack).
And a big congratulations to the girls who made the All Star game this year.
Accuracy Throwing Champion: Chase Buckland
Fastest Runner: Alejandra Dovale-Puig
Distance Throwing Champion: Meg Lipscomb
Home Run Champion: Bronach O’Neil King
All Star MVP Team Red – Meg Lipscomb
All Star MVP Team Blue – Genevieve Ezman
Red Team | Blue Team | |||
Alejandra Dovale-Puig | Green Gators | Chase Buckland | Black Mustangs | |
Sloane Hayball | Green Gators | Abbey Beldycki | Black Mustangs | |
Sophie Keenan | Green Gators | Bronach O’Neil King | Black Mustangs | |
Meg Lipscomb | Green Gators | Taylor Boyle | Black Mustangs | |
Taylor Stephens | Red Foxes | Emma Hoy | Blue Dolphins | |
Lily McBride | Red Foxes | Allison Cardone | Blue Dolphins | |
Bea Pellar | Red Foxes | Tara Deckha | Blue Dolphins | |
Charlotte Restrepo | Red Foxes | Tatiana Drozd | Blue Dolphins | |
Ainsley Sherwin | Yellow Lions | Sophia Bennett | White Pandas | |
Amanda Marchetti | Yellow Lions | Mary Primeau | White Pandas | |
Samantha Freeman | Yellow Lions | Sonja Zile | White Pandas | |
Jaime Nerlich | Yellow Lions | Genevieve Ezman | White Pandas |
Vinh Tran
Girls Rookie Convenor