Jeff Gard/Today’s Northumberland
The Northumberland Jacks 15U Black Select Team entered the Ontario Baseball Association championship tournament as one of the youngest teams, but left as one of the top eight in the province.
The 15U Select OBA Championship, held in the Newmarket area during Labour Day weekend, provided the Northumberland squad with a challenging end to a season that had already included an undefeated regular season and several strong tournament performances.
The Jacks opened the OBA tournament Friday morning against the Clinton Mustangs, but struggled offensively and suffered a lopsided defeat.
“The important thing was how the players responded,” said coach Titus Lam. “Rather than dwelling on the loss, they put it behind them and immediately focused on the next game.”
That response came later Friday against Forest Glade.
Lam said Lane Riley delivered his best pitching performance of the season, working 5⅔ innings while striking out eight. Wyatt Colley, Jack Crilly and Landon Hasson also made key defensive plays behind him.
The game went into Northumberland’s final at-bat tied 4-4. The Jacks showed patience at the plate, loaded the bases and eventually scored the winning run on a walk to complete the comeback.
Saturday morning brought a matchup with familiar opponents – the Northumberland Jacks Green.
The game carried extra significance. Northumberland Black had defeated Green twice during the regular season, while Green had won both meetings at the EOBA tournament a couple of weeks earlier.
Hudson Lynn set the tone on the mound, while Silas Lam, Chase Windrem, Riley Lynn and Riley provided key hits. Aggressive baserunning and patient at-bats throughout the lineup helped Black pull away for a 13-3 victory.
“It was a little bittersweet to officially eliminate our friendly rivals, but it was also an incredible accomplishment for our group. Our team was made up primarily of 2012-born players competing in a division where most of the players were a year older,” Lam said.
“Both Northumberland 15U teams qualified for OBAs, and, in fact, every Northumberland Baseball Association Select team qualified for OBAs this year, which is a tremendous accomplishment for our association.”
The victory sent Northumberland Black into the quarterfinals Saturday night against the West Mountain Cobras.
Once again, the Jacks found themselves in a tight game.
Colley pitched well before Silas Lam came in and helped keep Northumberland within striking distance. The Jacks trailed by one run heading into their final at-bat and loaded the bases, but could not bring the tying or winning run home. The season ended with a 7-6 loss.
Team members were Carter Bowden, Jack Crilly, Foster Davidson, Garrett Cunningham, Jakob George, Blake Hill, Landon Hasson, Silas Lam, Hudson Lynn, Riley Lynn, Lane Riley, Wyatt Colley and Chase Windrem.
“There were certainly some tears after that game, but there was also a lot of pride,” Lam said. “The players had given everything they had, and they had shown throughout the tournament that they belonged among the best teams in Ontario.”
Lam said the tournament result was a fitting reflection of the team’s character.
“To finish in the top eight after stumbling out of the gate in our first game says a lot about the character of this group. They showed resilience, grit and the ability to bounce back when things didn’t go their way,” he said. “We’re especially proud because this was a team made up primarily of minor-aged players competing against players a year older.
To make it that far in the province is something they should be extremely proud of.”
The OBA run capped a season that included an 8-0 regular-season record and three other tournaments against Dedicated Select teams. Northumberland finished second in its first tournament and ended the tournament season with an overall winning record.
Lam said the team’s most meaningful accomplishments went beyond its results.
“One of the biggest highlights was seeing every player contribute at some point during the season. Every player had their moment — whether it was a big hit, a great defensive play, a key pitch or simply doing something to help a teammate. That’s what made this team special. It wasn’t about one or two players carrying the team. Everyone contributed.”
The success was particularly notable given the makeup of Northumberland’s 15U program.
Lam, who also serves as the Northumberland Baseball Association’s vice-president of house league, said the association had 53 players in its 15U House League program this year, allowing it to field two competitive Select teams at an age when many associations experience a decline in participation.
During the offseason, Team Green was designated as the Majors team, consisting primarily of 2011-born players, while Team Black competed as the Minors team, consisting primarily of 2012-born players, with a few exceptions.
“That meant we were essentially the underdogs from the beginning, but that didn’t matter to these players,” Lam said. “They believed they could compete with anyone, and they proved it. Our depth at every position, combined with the overall talent and work ethic of the group, allowed us to have a very successful season.”
Lam said the team’s chemistry may have been its defining characteristic.
“The biggest thing that stands out to me is how much the players genuinely supported one another,” he said. “They got along extremely well and were always rooting for their teammates. When someone made an error, struck out or had a tough moment on the field, there was always a teammate there to pick them up and encourage them.”
That support also helped the players develop a greater sense of accountability throughout the season.
“They learned that being a good teammate means supporting each other, but it also means having the courage to admit when you’re wrong and take responsibility.”
Lam credited the coaching staff and volunteers who helped the team throughout the season.
Josh Colley, Jonathan Crilly and Brandon Lynn formed the coaching staff along with Lam, who also named Naomi and Andrea for helping maintain the team’s energy with music, and Brent, Derek and Shannon who handled pitch counting throughout the season.
Lam also recognized the players’ parents, families and siblings for their support at practices, games and tournaments.
He also singled out team manager Jenn Lynn for special praise.
“She was the backbone of this team and handled so much behind the scenes to make sure the season ran smoothly,” Lam said. “We couldn’t have done it without her.”
The season ultimately left the coaching staff with a sense of pride that extended beyond the team’s eighth-place finish in Ontario.
“As a coaching staff, we couldn’t be more proud of these players. We’ve watched them grow not only as baseball players, but as young men,” Lam said.
“I’ve always told the boys that we’re not here just to play baseball. We’re here to teach them how to be good people — how to be respectful, resilient, patient, supportive and hardworking. Baseball is simply the tool we get to use to teach those lessons.
One day, these boys will be finished playing youth baseball. My hope is that when they look back on these years, they’ll remember the games and the big moments, but also the friendships, the lessons and the experiences they shared together. Most importantly, I hope the lessons they’ve learned on the baseball field stay with them long after their playing days are over — and that they never lose their love for the game.”
