by Bob Connor
bobc@isb.ac.th
The Bangkok All-Stars 12U and 14U teams returned victorious from China, where they competed in the 5th Annual Shanghai Slam International Tournament.
Under 12’s
The All-Stars 12U team continued its dominance this year, going undefeated in winning the Shanghai tourney, a fitting end to the most memorable 12U season ever, winning all 5 international tournaments they entered. Led by an awesome display of power from Justin Blumenthal and Milan Pant, who each launched numerous homeruns over the fences, the All-Stars inaugural visit to Shanghai was a rousing success by any measure. David Werner earned the ‘Finals MVP’, with several extra base hits on the day!
While the 12U All-Stars season has now ended, an unprecedented 5 members of the team – Justin Blumenthal, Milan Pant, Hiroki Saito, Cole Westerman and Matthew Minckler – made the Thailand National 13U team which participates in the Little League World Series Asia / Middle East Tournament this summer. The winner earns the right to play in the final LLWS tourney (televised on ESPN) this August in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Wish them luck!
Under 14’s
Compared to the 12U team’s easy path to the title, the 14U team had some incredibly exciting and close games en route to its victory. The highlight was 3 amazing games with the powerful Major League Baseball (MLB) China Academy team, with the All-Stars losing the first game 7-4, but winning the second game 11-9, to reach the championship game. In yet another see-saw battle in the Finals, the All-Stars stunned the home crowd with an improbable and thrilling win in the bottom of the 7th (extra) inning, scoring 4 runs to emerge as champions! Kaden Bernhard and Ryan Minckler were the formidable power punch for the All-Stars, showcasing their hitting and pitching prowess throughout the tourney.
Fresh off its victory at SEAYBST in March, the 14U All-Stars also concluded its most successful season ever, with 2 tournament wins and a Runner-Up. Congrats to all the kids for doing Bangkok proud this year!