Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Regenye’s catch heard around the world
Jack Regenye’s amazing catch of fly ball brings recognition to his hometown
The catch that KAU centerfield Jack Regenye made in the Junior League Baseball U.S. World Championship game on Sunday will live on TV sports highlight reels for years go come.
In the fourth inning of the game between KAU (Kennett and Unionville) in Pennsylvania and Chinese Taipei, Regenye leaped over the centerfield wall, snagged the ball in his glove and flipped over the fence. He stood and held up the ball to signal the catch to the umpires.
“When the ball was in the air, I didn’t think it would be a home run,” Regenye said. “I was tracking the ball, and I heard (outfielder) Nick Patterson yell ‘fence.’ I jumped over the fence and caught it. It was awesome.”
The catch was first ruled an out, but the call was quickly overturned, then overturned again.
Chinese Taipei’s manager argued that the ball was already over the fence when the catch
“This is the best play you will see at any level in baseball. People here will remember that catch by Regenye forever. It is one of the greatest plays ever on this field, or on any field for that matter. This will go down in Kennett Square lore.” — ESPN announcer
was made, and the umpires reconsidered and called the ball a home run.
The catch was shown on ESPN, and videos of it went viral, proclaiming it the catch of the year, the greatest catch ever and the catch of the millennium.
“This is the best play you will see at any level in baseball,” said an ESPN announcer. “People here will remember that catch by Regenye forever. It is one of the greatest plays ever on this field, or on any field for that matter. This will go down in Kennett Square lore.”
Regenye, who will be attending ninth-grade at Unionville High School next week, gave credit to his teammates.
“When I wasn’t playing well, other players stepped up for me,” he said. “When others weren’t playing well, I stepped up for them.”
Regenye plans to play soccer and basketball this fall.
Regenye credited his managers, who have been guiding the team since the players were nine years old, with uniting the team.
John Sanville, superintendent of the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Ditrict, recognized Regenye at the August meeting.
“I am voting for that for the ESPYs,” Sanville said. “That is the catch of the year. It was absolutely awesome. You couldn’t see something better.”
Meanwhile, Regenye said he is happy his catch brought joy to his hometown.
“That one catch made this town – Kennett Square – get on the same page,” Regenye said. “It’s just amazing. This team is finally getting the recognition it deserves.”
“It’s just amazing. This team is finally getting the recognition it deserves.” — Jack Regenye