Last week, Tony Marenco felt like something was missing while going through his everday routine.
After more than two months of working with his 12-year-old Bear Babe Ruth all-star team, the youth baseball manager was left with only some awesome memories of a journey around many basepaths. Bear fought through adversity during a couple of tournaments to qualify for the Cal Ripken World Series, where it squared off with top-notch national and international teams from Aug. 14-19.
“It was a 10-week ride that I’ll never forget,” said Marenco, who was assisted by Chris Willett and Dale Call. “The best part was watching the kids mature and show a resiliency no matter what was thrown at them. To see 12-year-old kids trust in their abilities and bounce back from their struggles was rewarding enough, and I was just glad to be a part of all that.”
Bear went 2-2 at the World Series, held in the plush Aberdeen, Md. baseball complex founded by the former Orioles Hall of Famer. Since retirement, Ripken has devoted time and money to developing the sport at a grass roots level while still factoring in big time competitive events.
“At first it was kind of a numbing feeling to be standing at the World Series, being part of such a tremendous setting,” Marenco said. “At one point I said to myself ‘I can’t believe I’m here.’ ”
The locals played well, and scored wins over host Harford County, Md. (10-0) and Mineral Area, Mo. (9-8). Losses came to eventual United States champion Ocala, Fla. (6-2) and Ohio Valley of Lexington, Ky. (10-8). They played consolation games against Australian and Canadian squads.
“The best part for me was playing against teams from so far away and seeing their different style of play,” said lead pitcher Brandon Fraley, who attends Louis L. Redding Middle School in Middletown.
Bear won 10 of 11 games to take Delaware state and Mid-Atlantic regional titles in Hockessin and Queensbury, N.Y. The team hit 30 homers in six games at the regional, but had to fight through an eight inning, 15-14 victory to clinch a spot in the championship bracket.
“I always dreamed of playing in the World Series and definitely thought it was possible,” said Fraley, whose older brother Jake played on Bear’s 2008 World Series squad.
Middletown resident Evan Mullin was the biggest slugger of them all, hitting nine homers in the region and World Series frays. Chris Hammond and Brett Willett each tagged five to six homers and batted close to .800.
