Memories being made
Pawtucket RBI enjoying trip to Cincinnati
Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket skipper Matt Bergeron admitted two of his squad’s first three games at the RBI Junior Division World Series in Cincinnati, Ohio didn’t provide the results he had hoped for, but he wasn’t about to argue the fact the trek already had provided plenty of memorable moments for his young teens.
The reigning Northeast Regional champions captured a thrilling 7-6 victory over Detroit (Mich.) PAL on Monday, but then squandered four runs in the top of the seventh inning to yield a tough 4-3 verdict to Bradenton, Fla.
In its third contest, the Dominican Republic sailed to a 10-1 triumph in its final pool-play action on Wednesday.
Still, prior to that game against Bradenton, which was played at Great American Ballpark, the home of the Cincinnati Reds, Bergeron explained his kids seemed both thrilled and stunned at the surroundings.
“It’s been a thrill of a lifetime so far for the guys,” he said.
“I don’t think the experience of playing on a Major League field hit them until they walked into the visiting team’s clubhouse Tuesday night. Game time was 5:30 (p.m.), so kids from both squads got a good look about 90 minutes before.
“I don’t think the experience of playing on a Major League field hit them until they walked into the visiting team’s clubhouse Tuesday night.” – Coach Matt Bergeron
“They all took out their cell phones and began taking photos,” he added. “Everybody was speechless; their mouths were wide open. I didn’t hear anyone say much. They were so awe-struck, they didn’t know what to say.
“I do know one of our guys, I think it was Cam Wilson, said, ‘I could get used to this!’ It was pretty funny.”
After the lopsided loss to the Dominican Republic, the 16 regional champions (eight each in the Junior and Senior categories) took part in a roundtable discussion/seminar on Wednesday evening. Among the featured speakers: Tony Reagins, former general manager of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; Reds’ Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Browning; Marlon Styles, a Cincinnati scout for 20 years; and David James, the MLB, Inc. Director of the RBI National Program.
“Their message to the kids, in essence, was, ‘If you love the game of baseball, you can be a part of it for the rest of your lives,’” noted Bergeron. “They said that a lot of them would not fulfill their dream of playing pro ball, but that there were still plenty of opportunities to stay involved – at all sorts of levels.
“The guys all had opportunities to ask questions, and our boys had a couple,” he continued. “I know Cam asked them what their greatest obstacle had been in baseball when they were his age, 13-14-15. They said, ‘There are choices you have to make. They may not be the most popular with your friends or age group, but they will be the healthiest and most rewarding if you really love the game.’
“Andrew Roy asked Mr. Reagins and Mr. Styles what they look for when they’re scouting kids their age, and they pretty much said the same thing – athletic ability, but also the desire to work hard to achieve their dreams.
“I thought they were very poignant questions. Like I said, the guys are having a fantastic time. I know they’re looking forward to our playoff game (Thursday evening) against the Philaldelphia Phillies RBI team. That’s a squad that features a handful of kids who played in the 2014 Little League World Series, and one of them is Monet Davis. The team is called the Taney Dragons.
“One of our guys, Trey Thibeault, played for Cumberland American in that World Series, so I know he’s really excited about it.”