The bucket list just got shorter for 12 members of the Malibu Baseball Club, who traveled 3,000 miles across the country for a weeklong visit to Cooperstown, New York.
The adventure was well worth the price of admission for the players, coaches and parents, as they indulged in baseball’s rich history at the legendary Hall of Fame site.
Each summer the city opens its doors to welcome more than 1,200 teams from around the nation to play baseball at Cooperstown Dreams Park as part of the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame Invitational Tournaments.
The Malibu Baseball Club, comprised of a local group of sixth graders, made its first-ever trek to Cooperstown July 5-11 and competed against quality opponents. With 104 teams playing at 22 different fields all within walking distance of each other, MBC went 2-5 in its seven game schedule.
Coached by Brian Kelly, Greg Hughes and Phil Johnson, MBC played “lead-off” baseball for the first time in the boys’ youthful careers. Players were allowed to lead-off from bases, unlike in Malibu Little League, where players must stay on base until the pitch crosses home plate before attempting to steal or advance.
“I’m so proud of this group of kids. They learned how to play ‘lead-off ’ baseball a month before we left,” Johnson said. “Holding runners, executing pick-off plays and playing real deal baseball was great for them to learn.”
Malibu played two games a day for the first three days as part of pool play and then one game in the single-elimination tournament on the fourth day.
Malibu lost its first game, 3-2, to Proehlific Power of North Carolina despite an outstanding pitching performance from Ryan Redondo, who threw six innings and allowed no earned runs on just two hits.
A few hours later, the bats came alive as MBC crushed the Pomona Storm of Colorado, 17-1. Chase Kelly recorded the win on the hill with Jared Hughes calling an excellent game as catcher. Kelly threw four innings, giving up just one hit.
Malibu defeated JB Yeager of Ohio, 9-2, but suffered losses to Wiers Baseball Academy Warriors of Illinois (7-1), Elkridge Hurricanes of Maryland (14-2) and West Seneca Wolverines of New York (10-6). In bracket play, MBC was eliminated, 5-3, by the Silver Hawks of Illinois.
“It was a great experience,” pitcher Brian Rubenstein said. “I’ve never played a team from basically out of California. It was good competition and a lot of fun.”
Personal highlights included shortstop Russell Kish batting .631 (12 for 19) with five home runs, Rubenstein garnering two two-hit games, Daniel Rafeedie hitting .500 (8 for 16), Brody Andersen finishing at .400 including a 3-for-3 game, Ryan Johnson hitting .375, Cameron Bendetti swinging for power (two home runs), Luke Mickens and Cole Richards each hitting home runs, and Josh Kamen playing a spectacular third base with no errors through six games.
From the opening ceremony to playing the game they love, the boys competed in skill competitions, lived in on-site barracks and participated in the popular team pin trading.
“You run around constantly and meet new kids. Some of the pins are really cool,” Kish said about the pin trading, where he collected 94 pins. “Some of the teams and umpires have their own special pins and if you got those that would be cool. It was really fun.”
Rubenstein collected 96 pins but it was the visit to the hallowed grounds of the revered National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum that caught everyone’s attention.
“I’m one of the biggest baseball fans out there. I liked everything there,” Rubenstein said of the Hall of Fame. “Everything was just really cool, like Willie Mays’ glove, old rosin bags used in 1912 and old baseballs. I love all the historical things there. It was great to see.”
“I loved everything there. Seeing the old stuff was crazy,” Kish said. “My favorite player of all-time is Babe Ruth. His jersey was there. It was awesome. It was an experience that I will never forget.”
Johnson saw plenty of smiles on the players’ faces as they enjoyed the week of a lifetime. Then it was time to return home to Malibu after soaking in the best of Cooperstown.
“Every single player on the roster had a once in a lifetime moment in New York that they or their families will never forget,” said Johnson.
