Fishback's going to the Dome
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Tillsonburg Burns Demeyere Major Peewee’s Alex Fishback is going to the Dome.
Fishback, 12, won his 11-12 year old boys division in the St. Marys regional event of the MLB Pitch, Hit, Run competition, on Saturday, May 25, qualifying for the Pitch, Hit, Throw event at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, June 9.
“Last year was at St. Marys, too, but this is my first time going to the SkyDome. I was second at St. Marys last year.”
The competition involves hitting off the tee for distance in the air, throwing accuracy, and running speed from second base to home plate.
“I’m really good at hitting off the tee,” said Fishback. “Here in Tillsonburg (May 11) I won the hitting and the running, and third in pitching.”
Fishback plays multiple positions with the Major Peewee Otters, including pitcher, although he prefers second base.
“I can play anywhere usually.”
Also competing at St. Marys were Major Peewees’ Tanner Gaitens, who finished second in the 13-14 year boys division, and Brandon Balazs and Eli Newson from the Tillsonburg Major Rookies.
“It was pretty good competition,” said Fishback, who won the hitting, and finished second in running and pitching.
The key to hitting off the tee, he said demonstrating the swing, was mostly not hitting the tee stand.
“And don’t miss it too high. You have to hit it somewhere in between. I practice it.”
Otters teammate Jamie Braun, who competed at the provincials in 2012, has talked to Fishback about the Rogers Centre experience and what it was like going head-to-head against some of the best ball players in the province.
“He said it’s really fun and he says the competition there is really good,” said Fishback, who does not have any set expectations.
“Just going to be compete,” he smiled. “Just the experience is fun.”