Scrappy, Tight Knit Team Kept Eyes On The Prize Despite Setbacks
By Dan Hurst
The Alameda Yankees 2023 Little League majors baseball team carved out a magical season, ignited by a mid-season loss that paradoxically propelled them into a winning streak that culminated in a spectacular performance in the League playoffs and throughout the Tournament of Champions.
In the run up to the League playoffs, the Yankees dropped a critical game to the Alameda Giants and dipped to third place.
That loss lit a fire in the team that propelled them to nine straight wins. “The amazing thing about these boys is that they pull together as a team when they get down. It is such a great life lesson, turning your mistakes and losses into motivation to do better!” said Alameda Yankees’ coach Dan.
The team entered the Alameda League playoffs as third seed, and took four straight games, culminating in the Little League Championship game on June 3, 2023 at the Alameda Little League complex, capped by a thrilling extra inning 3-2 victory over the 1st place Alameda Pirates.
That hard fought win earned the team the honor of representing Alameda in the Tournament of Champions, a showdown between various top tier winners from the leagues in East Bay District 4.
The Alameda Yankees triumphed throughout the Tournament of Champions, outscoring opponents 60 to 0 to go undefeated in all post season play.
In the final, determinant game on June 17, 2023, before a home crowd at the Alameda Little League complex, Alameda’s Yankees prevailed 13-0 over the Clayton Valley Vipers, highlighted by Darren Hurst pitching a no hitter and popping an over the fence home run, Abraham Kim driving in 4 runs, Nathaniel Lee hitting a three run triple, and an overall strong team effort.
Throughout the season, the Yankees dugout had a reputation for vocal and positive support of each other.
Coach Tony said, “They trusted and supported each other and it showed each and every game.”
The tight knit group also displayed strong plate discipline and unselfish play to provide teammates the opportunity to drive in runs and win games. Eight players had an On Base Percentage over .500: Marcus Lee, Nathaniel Lee, Michael Brunetti, Mason Gee, Eli Shirgul, Max Danielle, Jordan Arena, and Darren Hurst. To bolster that result, Merrick Boyes, Ricky Montero, Abraham Kim, and Jackson Kodama all had On Base Percentages over .375. “One way or another, these guys get on base!” extolled Coach Dan.
Observers commented that during games when players made errors, the boys stuck together and did not criticize each other. Coach Ben remarked that they had “different skill sets and personalities. Everyone contributed and made it work!”
Also of extraordinary note is the fact that Darren Hurst hit the home run with a wood bat –the only Alameda Little Leaguer to use a wood bat throughout the season– and the only little league player to hit a home run with a wood bat across a number of decades of local Little League play.
Very few youth players use a wood bat in today’s games, setting Hurst in a kind of league of his own.
Reflecting on Darren’s bat, Ron Matthews, Alameda Little League President,had to back track into yesteryear to frame the significance of old school hardwood.
“I used a wood bat in 1960’s in Little League. Last time I heard ‘wood is still wood!‘ ”
Matthews went on to capsulize the home run Hurst hammered.
“By the way, I was operating the BBQ in left center that day and told the man next to me that he was going to hit it out. The next pitch he hit it out, almost hitting both of us…”
And so it went to cap an amazing Alameda Yankee’s victory run, punctuated by a special throwback where a bit of past hit the present.
