15s tourney begins today with host of contenders

Since they first entered Babe Ruth this has been a very competitive group of teams that have challenged for the District One title, and this year — their final in Babe Ruth — should be no exception.

Nottingham has been able to claim a pair of district titles and they will be looking to sweep the BRL divisions.

It takes a few games, but Hamilton has advanced and now with the merger with Northern Burlington it might be ready one more time. Lawrence has always been competitive as has Western Monmouth/Mercer East along with West Windsor-Plainsboro and Ewing/Hopewell.

Over the winter, there were some additions to Commissioner John Villella’s District One lineup. The Brick Americans and Jersey Shore have joined District One and will compete.

The 15-year old tourney is being held at Switlik Park and begins on Monday with Nottingham meeting Lawrence at 6 p.m. Host Hamilton/NB will face Brick at 8:30 p.m.

“Playing at home is always nice because you know the field and you have the crowd behind you,’’ said H/NB manager Joe Beczo. “We need to get that first win to get us started it is very hard to come out of the loser’s bracket especially with the pitch count this year.’’

Yes, the Hamilton/NB team has dug a hole early in the previous tourneys, but to their credit when they are backed to the wall they respond and have made some state tourney appearances.

The final four teams begin play on Tuesday with Ewing/ Hopewell Valley meeting West Windsor-Plainsboro at 6 p.m. and the 8:30 p.m. tilt has Jersey Shore and WEMO/Mercer East.

The prize in the Districts is a berth in the Southern New Jersey state tournament to be held at Nottingham. It appears that three other District One representatives, the champion and the next two runner-ups, will also qualify.

Hamilton with the likes of Ryan Beczo, Justin Whiltsey, Logan Barber and Robbie Bennett will be looking to get the Switlik Park Crew off to a fast start.

“If our pitching holds up and we can manage to put some runs up early I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t advance,’’ said Joe Beczo. “It’s always a challenge playing someone you are unfamiliar with, but the key is throwing strikes and playing good defense.’’

There are many of the 15’s that have earned some high school varsity experience, but the principles never change: Throw strikes and play good defense.

The Hamilton team will be playing with a heavy heart as Joe Beczo’s mother and Ryan’s grandmother passed away this weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joe, Kim, Ryan and the entire family.