Submitted by Bedford Babe Ruth Baseball and Softball
The annual Player Appreciation Day hosted by Bedford Babe Ruth Baseball and Softball (BRBBS) on Saturday, May 21, was a full day of games, awards, pictures, food, and fun.
Click each image below to see it at full resolution. All images (c) John C. Mitchell, 2016 all rights reserved
For Bedford’s baseball players, Player Appreciation Day was also All-Star Day. The action kicked off at 9:00am at I field with the Atlantic League All-Star Game, featuring fourth- and fifth-grade players from the Nationals and Rangers defeating their counterparts from the Astros and Pirates, 9 to 7. At 10:00am it was the National League’s turn, with All-Star third graders from the Braves and Diamondbacks edging the Giants and Mets 16 to 15 at C field.
At 11:00am back at I field, the fifth- and sixth-grade American League All-Stars from the Angels and Red Sox topped the Athletics and Orioles 3 to 2 on a tough last play at the plate.Bedford’s Babe Ruth baseball division, comprised of seventh, eighth, and ninth graders, faced off against visiting Lexington at 1:00pm at G field, losing a hard-fought game 11 to 9, after trailing 8 to 0 in the first inning.
In the afternoon, it was softball’s turn. The Minors teams of first- and second-grade girls played two games at 3:00pm: the Athletics vs. the Nationals at E field, and the Dodgers vs. the Marlins at F field. As the day wound down, Bedford’s Senior Softball team of sixth through eighth graders notched a commanding 19 to 8 win over visiting Concord at E field.
In between all the action on the field, Player Appreciation Day also featured league assemblies for the younger players in the Farm and T-ball baseball leagues and the Majors (grades three through five) and Minors softball teams, with team pictures and a group lunch. Each player also received and a special gift from the league: a drawstring nylon bag with an extra zipper pouch to hold all their snacks and smaller gear.
Before and after their games, teammates and their families were able to enjoy activities sponsored by the league, including pitch speed measurement with a radar gun and a three-hole target for practicing throwing accuracy. Many thanks to all the volunteers and team parents who pitched in to make the day a rousing success.
Nearly 450 Bedford kids participate in BRBBS leagues and teams, from the smallest sluggers hitting balls off the tee, to minor leaguers perfecting their fast-pitch form, and seasoned teenagers who add to their playing experience by serving as umpires for the younger leagues. On Player Appreciation Day, the breadth and depth of the Bedford softball and baseball programs was on full display. Athletes of all ages continue to show camaraderie, sportsmanship, and competitiveness while playing the all-American sports of baseball and softball.
Loading ...
