By Jeff Slovin, Contributing Writer
Northborough – Jeffrey Lamothe took first place in the 11- to 12-year-old age group at Major League Baseball's “Pitch, Hit and Run” Team Championship held at Fenway Park May 31. He is now waiting to see if he scored high enough to qualify for the National Finals, which will be held in July as part of MLB's All-Star Week activities. The finalists receive an all-expense paid trip to the All-Star Game in Minneapolis, Min., where they will participate in numerous activities, including shagging fly balls during the Home Run Derby.
Lamothe qualified for the Team Championship by placing first in his age group in Northborough's competition, and then having one of the top three total scores from all the sectional tournaments held within the Red Sox's geographic market. The top three scores in each age group out of all 30 of the MLB Team Championships held across the country will advance to the National Finals.
Lamothe said he was “amazed” by this opportunity and, although he was nervous, he attributed his success to being able to stay cool under pressure.
A second Northborough ballplayer, Cole Jones, also qualified for the 7- to 8-year-old age group Team Championship at Fenway, and placed third.
While competing at Fenway, both boys got to hit from home plate and sit in the dugout between competitions.