Puerto Rico Bound

Ryan Nichols and Ryan Steinhauer of Saline tried out for the Michigan Blue Jays because they wanted to play baseball in the summer. Now, after an extensive practice program that included winter and spring exercises at the Cage in Ypsilanti, the two boys are travelling to Puerto Rico with their team to participate in the Willie Mays World Series. The team earned the right to go by winning the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) Regional Championship.

“(The team) played in the regional tournament with teams from Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. The winner received a bid to represent the north-central region in Puerto Rico. There will be other teams from the U.S., as well as teams from Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico at the tournament,” said Calvin Nichols, the Blue Jays General Manager and assistant coach.

The Blue Jays are a part of the Kensington Valley Baseball & Softball Association, a league that has teams for kids from the age of 8 through 18.  The teams are usually 12 members strong and all players must play at least three innings in league games.

Ryan Nichols primarily plays centerfield for the Blue Jays, while Ryan Steinhauer is a first baseman and pitcher.  Their teammates come from Chelsea, Ypsilanti, Livonia, Howell and Newport. Besides winning the regional tournament that is sending them to Puerto Rico, the team has also won the Waco Wolves Challenge in May and came in second at the USSSA Open State Tournament in June.

The Willie Mays World Series will be held between July 27 and July 31 in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. Travel and lodging is provided by the AABC for the players and coaches. Parents are welcome, but must provide their own travel expenses.

“We’re really blessed to have the opportunity to go to Puerto Rico to represent not only our league but also the region. There’s a great deal of very talented youth baseball teams in the area and for us to get to go is quite an honor,” said Calvin Nichols.