It’s safe to say that over the years, West New York American has been a dominant force in the District 7 Little League 11-and-12-year-old All-Star tournament.
In fact, it’s been the same veteran coach Victor Tapia that has guided WNY American to such success in the tournament.
“I’ve won six flags,” Tapia said.
And he’s not talking about some action theme park in southern New Jersey.
Tapia is talking about banners that come with winning the District 7 tournament. Tapia’s teams have won six championships in the 11 years that he has been a coach. That’s some level of success for one league. There are some leagues inside District 7 that are still searching for their first-ever championship. WNY American has captured 10 District 7 crowns, the most in the history of the tournament dating back to 1958.
Ironically, the program with the second most titles? West New York National, the other WNY Little League program, has nine.
But under Tapia’s guidance, WNY American won three straight banners from 2009 through 2011 and is in the driver’s seat for another crown this year.
After soundly defeating Elmora of Elizabeth, 15-2, Monday night at Jackie Robinson Little League’s field in Jersey City, WNY American has won four straight in the double-elimination tournament and advanced to Saturday’s championship round, needing just one more win to secure yet another banner heading to West New York.
“We play against good competition all year long,” Tapia said. “The kids work hard. They’ve been playing together since they were nine years old. I don’t know why we keep winning. I think it has to be that we have good players going up against good competition.”
However, when the District 7 tournament began two weeks ago, Tapia wasn’t so sure that this team had championship capabilities.
“I thought that we would get knocked out early,” Tapia said. “But the kids have shown a lot of heart and came together as a team. Practice makes perfect. They’ve played each game like it’s their last.”
Leading the way for the WNY Americans is right-handed pitcher/shortstop Chris “Junior” Figueroa.
Figueroa was the winning pitcher in Monday night’s win and he also delivered a home run in the victory.
On the mound, Figueroa is a lot like Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez, the former New York Yankees and New York Mets great, who used to curl himself into a ball on the mound, then display a high leg kick before delivering the pitch.
Well, Figueroa gets down into an even lower crouch before hurling and has a similar high leg kick. He throws deceptively hard for a kid of his size and has been dominant in two performances in the tournament.
“He’s been playing since he’s eight years old,” Tapia said of Figueroa. “He’s a good player. He does what he’s told to do and what we’re looking for. He’s able to put the ball where he wants it.”
This is a young man with a very bright future.
Another WNY American pitcher is fellow right-hander Kevin Villares, who plays a little bit of everywhere for the team. He pitches, catches, plays shortstop and a little first base.
“He plays all over and that’s what I like about him,” Tapia said. “He doesn’t complain. He does what we ask of him. He’s a very smart player. He also knows different pitches to throw.”
Villares was the winning pitcher in WNY American’s win over Secaucus.
Tony Llano is another of the deep WNY American pitching staff. He was the winner against Roberto Clemente of Jersey City.
“Tony throws hard,” Tapia said.
Villares is the team’s best catcher, but Alain Aviles also gets time behind the plate.
Sebastian Martinez is the team’s lanky first baseman with a slick glove. Jasel Alvarez plays second base and also flashes the leather. Villares and Figueroa share shortstop duties when not pitching. Randy Rojas plays third base.
In the outfield, Tapia has Andreas Bruno in left field, with Hunter Saurborn in center. Hunter Saurborn, the youngest of three brothers who have all been standouts in WNY Little League action over the years, hit a home run that helped to break Monday night’s game wide open.
Llano, who is also a home run hitter, plays right field. William Rodriguez, Jason Garcia, Ethan Garcia (not related) and the currently injured Andy Llinares all add to the team’s outfield depth.
So the WNY Americans are one win away from bringing another banner home. The Section 2 Tournament begins in Secaucus later this week and the WNY Americans were poised to represent District 7 once again.
“I’m amazed,” Tapia said. “I didn’t think this was possible with this team. But they’ve come together at the right time. They’ve won as a team so far.”
Tapia has received invaluable assistance from Maite Fernandez, whose son played on the WNY Americans two years ago, and Julio Martinez, the dad of first baseman Sebastian…
One of the biggest success stories in this year’s District 7 All-Star tournament has been the play of Washington Park, which has advanced to the final three in the tourney with four wins after an early loss and faced Elmora for the loser’s bracket title and the right to face WNY American in the title round.
Washington Park has not won a District 7 title since 1969, so it’s been quite a while for the long-standing Jersey City league to enjoy such success in the tourney.
“We were confident going in, but then we lost to Elmora in the first game,” said Washington Park coach George Lewis. “With our backs against the wall, we kept fighting and the bats came alive. The pitching then came alive. I knew what the kids could do. The kids just don’t want to go home. They want to keep playing. They want to go to Williamsport [the Little League World Series].”
Washington Park advanced to the loser’s bracket title round with a 12-2 win over Jackie Robinson Monday night. Carlos Cedeno has been a brilliant pitcher for Washington Park, winning the first and fourth games of the tourney. Cedeno pitched a one-hitter Monday night and also delivered a home run in the win.
Luis de la Cruz had three hits, including two triples and an RBI.
“He’s a solid defensive catcher,” Lewis said of de la Cruz. “He’s been rock solid behind the plate for us.”
Anthony DeJesus had two hits and two RBI and Joel Reinoso had two hits and an RBI in the win.
“I’m extremely proud of them,” Lewis said. “We’re just ecstatic. We came out flat and I thought we were going to be two and out [early elimination], but we’ve won four games in a row and gave up just three runs in those four games. We’re one win away. Believe me, the butterflies are in them.”
Washington Park Little League has been a staple in District 7 for 50 years and conjures up thoughts of great people like the late Willie Wolfe, who helped to run the Washington Park Little League for many years. It’s good to see Washington Park get a chance at District 7 glory…
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