The Gibsons Jays junior men's team made it to the semifinals of the B.C. Minor Baseball Provincial Tournament last weekend before losing out.
Gibsons dropped both games to teams from Richmond by one run in hotly contested matches.
On Aug. 2, the Richmond Chuckers beat the Jays 8-7 and won 7-6 in 12 innings on Saturday at Queens Park in New Westminster.
The Jays showed flashes of brilliant play in both games. Ameer Ismail was dominant as the starter in both games, giving up only four runs in 10 innings pitched, but the relievers who followed couldn't hold Richmond down. Bird Bracket, Jason Chung, Nick Pennington and Zach Ruggles led the way in the field, while Tim Scarr, James Pomfret and Nate Petzold led the way offensively.
According to manager Gary Pennington, many fine performances and efforts have marked the season for the team.
"Each week the team has practised at least two or three times, which is uncommon for many teams in the league," Pennington said. "The team has also contributed to ball on the Coast in tangible ways in terms of field improvement and mentoring younger players as part of a give back initiative. Efforts to develop strength, endurance and agility by most team members in special fitness sessions before and during the season are noteworthy."
Pennington said while the season of regular play has come to a close, the Jays plan to keep practising one or two nights weekly to maintain their skills.
"Some on the team are off to university in a few weeks where they will be playing fall ball at an elite level," he said. "Plans are also underway for the Jays to travel to Cuba to play games there for a week as part of a goodwill tour, likely just after Christmas if things work out.
"The team believes they have been good representatives of our community as well as good role models for younger players and plan to continue in this vein in coming years. Coaches of the Jays encourage all graduates of the younger divisions of Gibsons Minor Ball Association to come out to be involved in the days ahead and next spring."
-Submitted
