It was a beautiful evening for baseball on Friday, June 9, when two New Providence Recreation 3rd & 4th Grade boys’ teams faced off for the league championship. The Pirates, sponsored by Stashluk Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Generators, and the Athletics, sponsored by NP Fuel, met up at Hillview field on Central Avenue for the final game of a great season.
Six teams played each other through April and May. After an exciting season of competitive games, four of the six teams, all led by parent volunteer coaches, had the same record – 5 wins and 4 losses. The Phillies, sponsored by Advanced Financial Federal Credit Union, won the tie-breaker and received season champion medals.
All six teams participated in the play-offs. The Pirates, with a season record of 3-6, won their first two play-off games, landing them in the final game against the Athletics. Having played each other twice during the regular season (each had won one of those games), the match-up between the Pirates and Athletics was bound to be good one. To extend the excitement of the play-offs all 3rd & 4th grade baseball families were encouraged to attend to cheer on their friends and attend a post-game pizza party, courtesy of New Providence Recreation.
The game did not disappoint! After the league standard playing time of five innings, the game was tied at 5-5, prompting the necessity of a sixth inning. During the top of the inning, several Pirates players had hits, bringing in three runs. They were able to prevent the Athletics from scoring, resulting in a championship win for the Pirates.
All throughout the game, as during the season, the enthusiastic crowd and team coaches provided encouragement, showing the spirit of sportsmanship NP Recreation strives to inspire. Players congratulated each other, posed for a combined team picture with their trophies and medals, and then shared pizza to celebrate the season.
(above) New Providence Recreation 3rd & 4th Grade boys’ teams the Pirates, sponsored by Stashluk Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Generators, and the Athletics, sponsored by NP Fuel.
