Jr. Jacks open 2012 season with a split
by Jackie Dempster-O'Halloran/The Scugog Standard

It’s back to the ball diamonds for the Port Perry Lake Scugog Lumberjacks Bantam Fastball team. The regular season started last week for the Jacks as they geared up to play in the Richmond Hill Men’s Fastball League.
_With fewer bantam teams in the area the group decided changing divisions would be the best solution for the boys. This will allow the Jacks to play a wide array of teams and compete at a higher caliber level.
_The coaching staff also believes that this will ensure the team is ready for the Eliminations and Provincials later on in the season. Of special note the Ontario Amateur Softball Association has awarded the Bantam Provincial Tournament to Port Perry this year as the association celebrates 50 years of ball in Port Perry.
_Unfortunately, the team will not have their friendly confines as all games will be played in various Richmond Hill ball parks and the Lakefront diamonds will be solely used for practicing, exhibition games and tournaments.
_The opening game slated them against the Pickering Heat.
_All 3 of Port Perry’s pitchers got to throw in this game and they manage to come up with a 1 hitter. Offensively, the boys overpowered Pickering’s starter and reliever as they pounded the ball scoring 10 runs on 10 hits in the game.
_The Lumberjacks played solid defense committing no errors in the game. Dylan Smith turned a double play in the 2nd inning to keep the Heat off the board. Picking up RBIs in the game was Layne O’Halloran, Brandon Griffen, Matt Reid, Trent Cooper and lastly Jesse Simmons the hard way by getting hit with a pitch. Final score was 10-0 in favour of Port Perry.
_In their second game of the week the Jacks faced a strong Pirates’ team. Port Perry’s starting pitcher Jeff St. Pierre went the distance in a 5-3 loss, giving up 5 runs on 8 hits and striking out 13 batters. The Jacks scored their runs on hits from Layne O’Halloran, Brandon Griffen, Ryan Jones, Matt Reid, Cody Till and Clayton Robinson. In the last inning the Jacks fought back loading the bases but to no avail as the Pirates’ pitcher struck out the final batter dodging a bullet to take the victory.
_If you are interested in learning about the team visit their web site at http://www.ballcharts.com/teams/index.php?team=PortPerryJacks.
_Don’t forget to check out more minor softball news and events in Port Perry by visiting Port Perry & District Minor Softball Associations’ web site at www.portperrysoftball.ca where you will find updated information for all house league teams.