It seems that baseball has a bright future in Sault Ste. Marie.
Soo Minor Baseball is celebrating the 2023 season as a banner year after three of its Soo Black Sox teams won provincial titles over the Labour Day Weekend.
For the first time, the Soo Minor Baseball Association (SMBA) hosted both the 9U and 13U Dedicated Select OBA Provincial Championships at Sinclair Yards during the same weekend.
The event brought 20 teams from out of town to Sault Ste. Marie for the weekend.
Sault Mayor Matthew Shoemaker welcomed all players, coaches and parents at the opening ceremonies.
In the 9U division, the Soo Black Sox went 5-0 defeating Thornhill 7-5 in the championship game on Sunday. The team finished the season with a record of 31-1 after winning the Clarington Classic and Forest Glade Summer Classic earlier this season.
The Soo Black Sox also went 5-0 in the 13U division defeating Mansfield 20-4 in the championship game on Sunday. The 13U squad finished the season with a record of 26-4 and won the Southwest London Tournament earlier this season.
In the 11U division, the Soo Black Sox, playing in Hamilton, went 3-0 before taking their first loss. They came back to win in the semi-finals, needing to beat the undefeated Mansfield Cubs twice to take the title.
They won their first game Sunday afternoon before beating the Cubs 15-5 on Monday morning to take the provincial title. They also won the Woodstock Tournament earlier this season.
“Winning that calibre of tournament is only possible when there's a commitment to the program by everyone including staff, players and family. The tough losses keep you coming back in the hopes of being a champion someday. And there's nothing better than seeing a young athlete's face light up with excitement when it's all over,” stated Mark Caruso, assistant coach in an email to SooToday Tuesday.
“This solidifies the fact that we have good coaches, great athletes and the ability to compete at that level. It also attracts other athletes to the sport so that it can continue to grow and create opportunities at a higher level,” Caruso added.
“Our boys had an incredible season, undefeated in tournament play,” wrote Alison Rooley, Soo Black Sox 9U team manager in a separate emailed comment.
“It was an absolutely amazing accomplishment by these young players. Winning here locally was an experience in itself. There was so much support from all the families and the community and the atmosphere was incredible. We hope that the success of all these teams this season will help continue to make baseball grow in our city. We are so beyond proud of all the players in all three divisions,” Rooley wrote.