Derby Little League’s Thomas Abel came in first place in the Team Championship of Major League Baseball’s Pitch, Hit & Run competition on Saturday, June 14 a Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.
Abel competed in the 11 – 12-year-old division with other sectional champions from New York and New Jersey.
Abel previously advanced through the local competition held at the Ken Marcucio, Sr. Little League and Youth Sports Complex, and then the sectional competition hosted by Orange Little League.
First place finishes in both of those competitions qualified him for the Team Championship in New York City.
In this series of competitions, participants test their skills in pitching, hitting and running, while the scores for each category are tallied separately. The individual with the highest combined point total advances to the next competition.
By winning his age division at the Team Championship at Citi Field, Abel will now be placed in a pool with 30 other contestants from each of the Major League Baseball stadiums around the country, with the top three point totals advancing to the National Championship to be held at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in July at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Derby Little League would like to extend our sincerest congratulations to Thomas on his wonderful accomplishment.
Abel’s father, Thomas, played baseball at Derby High School, according to Maria Abel, Tommy’s mom.
“It’s exciting and it is just a great experience for him,” Maria Abel said.
Last year brother and sister Chris and Ryleigh Oliwa advanced and competed at Citi Field, too.
Chris finished in first place also, and Ryleigh finished in third in their respective categories.
