50/70 is a perfect fit

12-YEAR-OLD CAL RIPKEN ALL STARS

By: Tim Falls
   If there was any trepidation in the change to 50/70 baseball, the Hopewell 12-year-old team’s success erased it.
   The Hopewell Valley Baseball/Softball Association hosted the first Cal Ripken 12-year-old 50/70 Southern New Jersey Tournament, which began with Hopewell’s 3-2 victory over Mullica Township on Friday night.
   Unfortunateley for the home team, Hopewell suffered two losses after that win and was eliminated from the tournament.
   Even though Hopewell can only host the championship game, rather than play in it, team manager Bill DiGaetano felt his team’s season on the bigger field was a huge success.
   The 50/70 field is a step up from the 46/60 dimensions the 12-year-olds had played on in the past. In 50/70 play the bases are moved back, the pitching mound is three-and-a-half feet further away and players can lead and steal.
   "There was a lot of controversy over whether the kids would be able to handle it," said DiGaetano. "The kids made the transition really smoothly and I think it’ll make next year easier."
   As 13-year-olds, the team will play Babe Ruth on the big field. DiGaetano said playing in the 50/70 tournament should help his team make the adjustment better.
   "It’s great action baseball," said DiGaetano. "I think the transition is going to be a lot easier for them. It’s been a great thing."
   The bigger field benefits the hitters with the mound further back.
   "Pitching is not as dominant as it is in 46/60," said DiGaetano. "That extra three-and-a-half feet makes a big difference. It’s seems like a little thing, but it’s a world of difference when you’re at the plate."
   Having the pitcher throw from further back gives the batter a little bit more time, even if its only a fraction of a second, to find the ball and put it into to play. That’s why DiGaetano feels the 50/70 tournament had more action. More batters were making things happen.
   Brandon Wagner and Mike Barr helped make things happen for Hopewell in its 3-2 win Friday night.
   Wagner doubled to drive in Jon Govantes in the first inning, then Barr doubled in Wagner to send Hopewell ahead, 2-0, over Mullica Township.
   Sam DiGaetano knocked home John deDufour for the eventual winning-run in the third, while Hopewell held off Mullica Township, which scored its second run in the fourth inning.
   Wagner was the winning pitcher with six strikeouts.
   "It was a good defensive game for both teams," said DiGaetano. "This was Mullica’s first time in. They looked like that hadn’t played 50/70 before. They won their last two games in the loser’s bracket, so they’re still playing. I think they’re a good team, so it was a quality win."
   Hopewell got knocked into the loser’s bracket after a 7-2, loss to Mount Laurel.
   "It was a real close game up until the last inning," said DiGaetano. "It was nip and tuck until they scored two in the fourth on a bit of a fluke play."
   On a bunt, Hopewell’s pitcher, Barr, got the runner out at first, but when Mount Laurel tried to score from third, an aggressive slide into home plate jarred the ball loose and allowed the runner to score and second runner’s equally aggressive base running allowed him to score as well.
   Wagner doubled and DiGaeatano drove him home to give Hopewell its early lead, but in the end Mount Laurel broke the game open in the last inning.
   "Mike Barr pitched a phenomenal game," said DiGaetano. "He pitched five great innings. That was probably the best pitched game I’ve seen."
   Hamilton Little Lads, the District One champions defeated Hopewell, 11-2, Monday night to end their run in the tournament.
   "We fell behind early and could never recoup," said DiGaetano. "They’re a real good hitting team."
   Playing on the 50/70 field, Hopewell proved it could step up and handle the bigger game. That’ll come in handy next year when they play Babe Ruth baseball.