Earlier this month, the Martha’s Vineyard Herd junior Babe Ruth baseball team celebrated their league championship victory in the Fall Gateway Regional Babe Ruth baseball league. Players aged 12 to 15 arrived in Vineyard Haven amidst heavy rain, greeted by local police and firefighters with flashing lights and sirens. This achievement marked an exceptional sweep for the island, as the senior Babe Ruth team, consisting of players aged 15 to 18, also claimed a championship title just a week prior.
Championship Wins for Vineyard Babe Ruth Teams
On November 2, the senior Herd team secured victory against Barnstable, defeating them 7-1 in the Fall Gateway League Championship game. This win enabled them to clinch the Division 2 crown. A week later, the junior team followed suit, delivering a strong performance to beat Fairhaven Pharmacy 9-1 on November 9.
Dedication from Coaches and Players
Jeff Day, the head coach for both teams, expressed immense pride in his players’ dedication and hard work. He noted, “It was awesome; it was the first time the junior team had experienced that, and they were very excited about it.” The junior team’s name, “The Herd,” originates from branding created by their sponsor, John Keene from John Keene Excavation.
Team Performance Overview
The senior team exhibited strong dominance throughout the season, achieving a remarkable 10-2 record. They remained undefeated on home turf while only losing two games away. In comparison, the junior team finished their season with a 6-6 record but delivered their best performance at the championship.
- Senior Team Record: 10 wins, 2 losses
- Junior Team Record: 6 wins, 6 losses
Throughout the season, both teams faced challenges in maintaining consistent rosters due to conflicts with fall and winter sports. Coach Day revealed that, despite limited practice time before the championship, his young players significantly improved. “I had a core of about seven kids that were practicing last week before the final game, and all of them improved over that one week of practice together,” he remarked. “They played the best I’ve seen them play all season.”
Future Aspirations for Youth Baseball
Coach Day emphasized the importance of a strong youth baseball pipeline. He believes a consistent feeder program is essential for developing competitive high school teams. “In order for any high school to have a successful competitive team, it has to be supported by a feeder program from 10 years old all the way through,” he stated.
The Fall youth baseball season typically lasts from early September to November, with teams divided between the American League and the National League. The Babe Ruth baseball league serves as an introduction to full-size fields used by high school, college, and Major League players.
Prepping for Spring
Looking forward, the Vineyard youth baseball programs focus on preparing players for the upcoming spring season. Coach Day is optimistic about prospects and plans to conduct winter baseball workouts at the Falmouth Sports Center. “We are going to do winter baseball workouts throughout the winter season to prepare the kids for spring high school baseball,” he shared.
The successes of both Vineyard Babe Ruth teams this season lay the groundwork for future achievements and continued growth in local youth baseball.
