Evesham Township billed it as a “Night of Champions,” and the name held true.
In the early evening hours of Sept. 5, a crowd of friends, family members, officials, residents and more took the field at the Diamonds at Arrowhead Park sports complex to cheer as the township honored the 10-year-old Marlton Reds baseball team and its win in the Cal Ripken Jr. World Series.
The 10u Marlton Reds won the Cal Ripken Jr. World Series on Aug. 16 in Wincester, Va., with a 9–1 victory against the team from Southeast Lexington, Ky.
In addition to being the Cal Ripken Jr. World Series Champs, the 10U Reds are the District 5 champs, SNJ State Champs and the Mid-Atlantic Regional champs.
Also honored by the township at the Sept. 5 event were the four other Marlton teams that captured state championships in their respective divisions.
The 9U Reds won the District 5 Championship and are the SNJ State champs, the 11U Marlton Reds are the District 5 Champs and the SNJ State Champs, the 11U Cardinals are the District 5 Champs and the SNJ State champs, and the 12U Cardinals are the District 5 champs and the SNJ State champs.
Marlton Recreation Council Baseball Commissioner Joe Schooley opened the event by thanking everyone who came out to celebrate the success of the Marlton baseball teams.
“Tonight is a celebration of an unprecedented summer baseball season,” Schooley said. “Marlton baseball rewrote the record books this year. Five district champions, five state champions and one World Series Champion. No organization had this much success on the field of play. No one.”
During the event, coaches for each team took the field to speak about their team’s hard work and achievements.
Rob Reynolds, head coach of the World Series winning 10U Marlton Reds, thanked the parents of his players for raising what he called “tremendous kids,” and commented on the 10U Reds winning the World Series the same season as the Diamonds at Arrowhead complex opened.
“I think it’s kind of ironic that the year that we finally get the facility like this put in place and we start playing on it we have a year like this,” Reynolds said. “I think sometimes things go hand-in-hand, and this is kind of a little blessing in this field for what has happened this year.”
Speaking directly to his players, Reynolds said he had only one word to describe what they were able to accomplish.
“There’s only one — wow,” Reynolds said. “Wow for what you’ve done, for the commitment you’ve given…it’s been tremendous. Your work effort, your ethics and your determination to be the best that you can has been tremendous, and that’s all I as a coach can ask for. I thank you for everything that you’ve done.”
Last to speak at the event and congratulate the teams was Mayor Randy Brown. He told the players to enjoy their championship wins, as he recalled being a part of the only state baseball championship team at Cherokee High School history 30 years ago.
“They haven’t won one since,” Brown said. “They’ve had great, great teams, so my message to all of you who have won championships, it might be the only time you’re going to win it. Enjoy every moment you have, because this might be it.”
Brown also said to remember that everyone was a part of a team with strong support, and that’s why they were able to accomplish what they did.
“What you see in front of you here is great leadership with the coaches, great players that are a team and the support of the family,” Brown said.
After the all remarks were finished and applause died down, the evening culminated with a showing of the film “The Sandlot.”
