Sports Wrap
By William Hathaway, Jr.
The Elks North Central District in partnership with the City of Orange and the Orange Recreational Department hosted the 2022 Batters Up Event at Central Playground Baseball Field in Orange.
Among the Essex County area youth that came out as winners were Phoebe Bennett, age 7-8 girls softball bracket from West Orange; Lilian Gonzalez, age 11-12 in the girls softball event from the Kearny/Belleville area; Taylar Gray, who participated in the baseball event and resides in Orange; Roman Laurore, age 5-6 T-Ball Division, Rohan Aviles in the age 7-8 baseball bracket and is from West Orange; and Eli Chavis, age 7-8 boys baseball from Orange
The last two participants were Lucas Laurore, age 9-10 division from Orange, and Tyler Gray, age 11-12 boys baseball bracket. The age groups for this event ranged from ages 5-15.
Also, on hand were members of the Orange Minors baseball team that took part in this event, which was coordinated by David Armstrong
Armstrong, who is the youth activity committee chairperson, said “The winners of this event will be heading to Deerwood Park in the Batters Up State finals this Saturday in Howell Township New Jersey.
In MLB, the baseball world was shocked to learn that Padres star Fernando Tatis, Jr. had been suspended 80 for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs.
Finally, in the NBA, the league announced that Bill Russell’s #6 jersey will be retired from the game. Players already wearing the number, such as LeBron James and Kristaps Porzingis, will be allowed to keep the number until the end of their careers.
