Rookie Select Hawks in Etobicoke - July 9/10

On July 9-10th, the Newmarket Hawks Rookie Select team took part in a 16-team Select Tournament with teams represented from all over the GTA. The first game took place Saturday morning against the feisty Brampton Royals. There were no smiles coming out of the Royals dugout as they were intense and ready to do battle.  What a battle it was!  Defence was strong on both sides, and unless a batter could find a gap there were no hits allowed. The Hawks climbed on top early and maintained a slim lead throughout the first 6 innings. In the seventh inning with the score 5-3 Hawks, Brampton was able to claw back and tie the game 5-5. Even though the Hawks were frustrated with the tie, they played a gem of a game and made it clear to the competition that they meant business.

Between games, the Etobicoke Baseball Association ran a skills competition. There were three competitions, throwing for distance challenge, fastest running challenge and furthest hitting challenge. The Hawks fared well overall, and the best result was Quinn B who finished as the fourth fastest runner out of the 30+ participants that entered the event.

The rain started to fall at the beginning of the second game against the Martingrove White Sox, but it wasn’t enough to dampen their spirits or stop the game. In fact this was a game that the Hawks boys will not forget. In the first inning Quinn B hit a homerun with a powerful line drive that found the gap in the outfield. This got the Hawks fired up and inning after inning they went on a hitting frenzy! Doubles and triples were plentiful! In fact the Hawks were able to hit four homeruns, a new team record (Quinn B- 2, Owen C- 1 and Micah B- 1). The boys in green pulled out a 21- 14 victory and left the diamonds with huge smiles, and with many stories to tell.

Sunday morning presented the game that would determine if the Hawks would qualify for the Semis. This would be their hardest test as they faced the other undefeated team, a mighty offensive team called the Toronto Playgrounds. There was a lot at stake for both teams as the winner advanced and the loser would be sent home packing. The first three innings were very competitive as the lead would change frequently between the teams.  Damian C added some momentum for the Hawks and hit the team's fifth homerun of the tournament. The Playgrounds came back in the fourth inning with their own homerun, and then started a big rally. The Playgrounds were victorious in the end, but the Hawks gave them a good fight.

This was a very positive tourney for the Hawks and as Coach Doug told the boys after the third game, “We have improved dramatically since our last tournament in Clarington and will continue that upward swing into our next two tournaments”. Way to go Newmarket Hawks Rookie Select team, you made Newmarket proud with your determination, grit and perseverance.