MJBL EAST ALL STARS NO HITS THE WEST IN SEASON FINALE
The MJBL (Metropolitan Junior Baseball League) first annual All Star game was held at
Shipley Field on the campus of University of Maryland. The game was held in conjunction
with the Negro League Legends Hall of Fame celebration. MJBL, a 43 year old non-profit
organization launched its national youth program game last year and is now composed of 17
states, Nassau, Bahamas, Grand Bahamas and Puerto Rico. These young men put on a quite a
show as the game remained scoreless going into the bottom of the 5th inning. Daryl Anderson
from Maryland led off the inning with a single. He advanced to second on an in field ground
out. Kevin Alexander from Dallas, Texas hit a deep shot to the left center field wall scoring
Daryl Anderson from Maryland for the only run of the game. Leandro Guzman, Anthony
Ware from Maryland and Javon Johnkins from Miami, Florida combined to throw the no
hitter for the East while striking out 6 batters. Steven Padilla was the MVP for the West team
and Kevin Alexander was the MVP for the East team. MJBL’s Executive Director, William
Forrester, Jr. said, “pitching and good defense always wins games. I think this game
exemplifies the quality of play that MJBL is now offering”. It was such an exciting and well
played game that the University of Maryland head baseball coach, Erik Bakich, asked to have
the MJBL All Star game played at Shipley Field on an annual basis.
MJBL commissioners were in attendance to ensure that this event would be memorable for all
the kids who participated and spectators who witnessed the All Star game. Roe Brooks,
commissioner from Dallas, Texas, headed up this initiative and coordinated with Dwayne
Simms, head of the Negro League Legends organization, to ensure all of the logistics were in
place. Gerard Hall, DC commissioner, assisted Brooks with all of the on the ground
preparation for the event. Hayes Smith, Virginia commissioner, transported players and was
the manager of the East All Star team. Ray Stephens, Michigan commissioner, accompanied
the Michigan All Star players and monitored the event to ensure that everything was running
smoothly. Andre Payne, Florida commissioner, accompanied players from Miami and was the
West All Star coach. Coach Payne was also able to provide some of the players a tour of
Howard University’s campus and other attractions in our nation’s capital. Maurice Faucette,
New York commissioner, accompanied his players from New York and used his oratorical
skills to be the PA announcer at the All Star game. Maurice made the game lively over the PA
system and continued to pump the accomplishments of our league and players while he mixed
in nostalgic tunes by artists such as the Temptations in between innings. It was an astounding
effort by all our league commissioners to ensure success for this event.