1st row L-R: Aidan Pierre, Tyler Stephan, Akshay Heda, Jack Griffith, Ryan Helfenstein, Aden Lefferts
2nd row L-R: Sam Nomura, Derek Chibbaro, Jacob Messeri, Luke Nomura, Michael Ballou.
Coaches from L-R: Rob Chibbaro, Ami Heda, Head Coach Chris Nomura, Mike Pierre
The U11 South Orange Maplewood Cougars Red baseball team hit a double last weekend — they had a successful weekend at a tournament in Manasquan and got the chance to meet Cincinnati Reds All-Star third baseman Todd Frazier.
The Cougars played two games at the USABL & Frazier Baseball “Halloween Havoc” Tournament that was played in Manasquan and Toms River. Frazier played with Toms River in the Little League World Series before starring at Rutgers University and making it in the major leagues with the Reds.
The Cougars played two games, losing 5-3 to the NY Dynasty Nationals and beating NJ Intensity Baseball Blue team 8-3. During the first game, Frazier stopped by the Cougars’ dugout, posing for a picture and taking the time to sign the hats, gloves and baseball cards the boys had ready for their moment with Frazier.
The Cougars team, a group of 10- and 11-year-olds who have been playing together for the last three years — winning more than 100 games in that span — are using their strong pitching, tough defense and clutch hitting to defend their 2013 Championship crown in the Springfield Fall Ball League.
