Hudson – Two Hudson Youth Baseball/Softball (HYBS) baseball teams recently finished an exciting season by winning their division championships. Both the Tucks Trucks Major 60s (10-year-olds) and Robinson's Hardware Major 70s (12-year-olds) had a rough regular season, finishing near or at the bottom of their divisions. But their bats and gloves came alive during the playoffs, with both teams going onto winning their respective divisions.
Ryan Gonzalez, 12, won the Nicholas Araujo Memorial Award as the tournament's MVP. Nicholas was a young Hudson ball player who passed away in 1999. Each year HYBS awards the Araujo trophy to the player who demonstrates dedication and sportsmanship while dealing with a personal challenge.
On the morning of the championship game, Ryan's beloved grandfather, Ricardo “Rick” Gonzalez, passed away from an illness. Knowing his grandfather would have wanted him to “play ball,” Ryan not only did so, his father Eric said, but also played well, and got the base hitting run to win the game.
“His coaches always say a prayer before the game and they incorporated my dad into that day's prayer,” Eric said. “Ryan knew his grandfather was there with him.”
Photos/submitted
