Deerfield 9 Red Warriors Flex Muscles, Take Deerfield Wooden Bat Tournament Title

Deerfield’s 9U Red baseball team gave their dads a very special Father’s Day gift, bringing home the championship trophy in their home Wooden Bat Tournament, held over Father’s Day weekend on fields throughout Deerfield. The Wooden Bat title is the team’s second tournament win of the summer, following their 1st place finish in the KWBA Bulldog Classic over Memorial Day weekend.

It took numerous contributions from all eleven players to go a perfect 5-0 and earn the first place prize over the rest of the 8-team Wooden Bat field. First up, the Warriors were perfect in their three pool-play games, beating New Trier, Libertyville, and Highland Park. Red took down New Trier 9-4, Libertyville 10-0, and Highland Park 6-4. Even with a 3-0 record, the Warriors were seeded #2 in the elimination round Sunday, due to powerhouse Elk Grove’s even more impressive victories en route to their own 3-0 pool-play record.

In the semi-final game, Deerfield again squared off against #3 New Trier, who had posted an impressive 2-1 record to that point. Entering the bottom of the 5th inning leading only 5-4, Deerfield exploded for a 6 run frame, putting the game out of reach. Starter Chuckie Polisner, and relievers Bradley Nickel, Mason Hirsch, and Charlie Robin combined for an efficient effort, and the offense was led by Luke Reddy (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI), Joey Gerber (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI), Charlie Robin (1-2, RBI), and Jack McGrath (2-3, 3 RBI).

The title game at Woodland Park against Mid-Suburban power Elk Grove would turn out to be a 9 inning thriller that would be nothing short of epic.

According to manager Paul Chanan, Elk Grove had owned Deerfield in two previous league games this season.

“Elk Grove is a team we have had a lot of trouble with this year,” said Chanan. “They are big and strong up and down their lineup, and our pitchers have had a really tough time holding their offense down.”

Deerfield gave the start to right-hander Harper Ransburg, who has been lights out all summer. Ransburg would combine with relievers Charlie Robin and Chuckie Polisner to hold Elk Grove to five runs through 5 innings, while the Red offense would keep the game close by netting 3 runs of their own through 5. Chuckie Polisner, Jack McGrath, Devin McNulty, and Charlie Robin all had key hits in the early innings.

Elk Grove’s shut-down pitching staff quieted the Warriors’ bats in the 4th and 5th innings, and Red entered the top of the 6th needing two runs to avoid a loss.

“We were kind of on life-support,” said Chanan. “Our bats had been cold for a few innings, and we looked a little gassed. But one thing the coaches have stressed is a refusal to quit, and our boys have bought in and always fight to the finish.”

With one out in top 6, Jack McGrath pounded a double to center-field, followed by two infield singles by Devin McNulty and Charlie Robin. With the bases loaded, Harper Ransburg and Brendan Fine both coaxed walks, and the Warriors ended regulation knotted at 5-5.

Relievers Chuckie Polisner and Mason Hirsch held serve over the next three innings, with Hirsch striking out four Travelers over his two innings.

Still in a 5-5 game entering the top of the 9th, Deerfield would execute some vintage “small-ball” to punch across the go-ahead runs. Harper Ransburg would leg out an infield single, and Sam Kanter would coax a walk. With runners at first and second, Brendan Fine would lay down a perfect bunt down the 3rd base line, which forced an errant throw by the Elk Grove 3rd baseman trying to nab him. Ransburg and Kanter would score on the play.

“You won’t see a more perfectly placed bunt if you watch 9U baseball for the next 100 years,” said Chanan. “It was a very high pressure situation, and Finer really came through in the clutch.”

Up 7-5, Deerfield asked closer Bradley Nickel to end the game. Nickel got Elk Grove to fly out to CF Devin McNulty and RF Charlie Robin, and then ended the game by getting the final batter to ground out to the pitcher. Player, coach, and fan excitement ensued.

“This was a great team win,” said Chanan. “Our boys may not be the biggest or the strongest ballplayers in the area, but nobody has more heart or more toughness. They have earned everything they have gotten this year, and I am proud to coach such a relentless group.”

The Warriors roster is made up of Sam Kanter, Joey Gerber, Brendan Fine, Jack McGrath, Devin McNulty, Charlie Robin, Luke Reddy, Harper Ransburg, Bradley Nickel, Mason Hirsch, and Chuckie Polisner. The team is coached by manager Paul Chanan, and coaches Brad Weaver, Gary Polisner, Jake Chanan, Noah Polisner, and Jen Ransburg.