The first annual Ken Babcock Invitational Tournament was held from May 12th to May 14th and was a resounding success. Organized by Baseball Oshawa, the tournament saw the participation of 15 teams from all over the province at the 10U division. This being the first year of live pitching with this age group, the games kept fans on the edge of their seats and included many exciting moments for these young players! 

The tournament was named after Ken Babcock, a local baseball coach who dedicated his life to promoting the sport among young children. Babcock was known for his passion for the game and was a beloved figure in the local community, and especially within Baseball Oshawa, having served ten consecutive years as President of the association.

The tournament was held over three days and featured a round-robin format in the initial stages, and to say the teams were competitive would be an understatement. The initial pool play results came down to a four-way team tie breaker, with a run differential down to the nearest hundredth of a point. The weekend boiled down to two semi-final games; the first featured the hometown team, Oshawa Legionaires 10U AAA against North York Blues 10U AAA, and the second semi-final game was played between the Peterborough Tigers 10U AAA and Mississauga North Tigers 10U AA. 

One of the standout performances of the tournament came from the 10U AAA Legionaires, Baseball Oshawa's 2022 Team of the Year, who were representing their hometown. The young team played with great enthusiasm and skill, winning all of their games convincingly, outscoring teams 64-4 over the weekend. This included a full game no-hitter by one of their pitchers, Brody Frew, with fantastic contributions from the entire team all weekend long. 

The 10U AAA Oshawa Legionaires were victorious against the 10U AAA Peterborough Tigers in the finals, bringing home the championship title at home!

The victory was a proud moment for the young players, their families, and Baseball Oshawa. It was also a testament to the hard work and dedication put in by the Legionaires and their coaches in the off-season and months leading up to this tournament.

The Ken Babcock Invitational Tournament was a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to promoting baseball among youth. It was a great success, and the tournament organizers will build on this year's success and make it an annual tradition that will inspire young players for years to come.