ELIZABETH—For the first time since 2000, the Elmora Youth League won the city’s annual Mayor’s Cup Tournament. Each year, all star teams from the city’s three youth baseball organizations – the Elmora Youth League, North Elizabeth League and Elizabethport League—play for the cup and “bragging rights.”
The tournament consists of two games held on different fields. One team is given a bye—this year, that was the Elizabethport League team. The first game pitted North Elizabeth against Elmora at Trooper Thomas J. Hanratty Memorial Complex, named for Trooper Thomas Hanratty who was killed in the line of duty on April 2, 1992 while serving for the NJ State Police.
Hanratty played in the Elmora Youth League for seven years. The Elmora Youth League all star teams take on the name “Troopers” in Hanratty’s memory. The Troopers defeated the North Elizabeth team 9 to 7 to advance to the championship game against the Elizabethport 10-year-olds.
The championship game was held at the Elizabethport Field on Dowd Avenue. The Troopers, led by Manager Stan Bell Jr., defeated the E-Port Team 11 to 6 in 6 innings. The winning pitcher was 10-year-old Anthony Burgos.
The Elmora Troopers were presented with their Championship Trophy by the Recreation Department Supervisor Paul Addesa and Assistant Joe Sullivan during a ceremony held immediately after the game. The Troopers manager was assisted by coaches Victor Alvarez, Mary F. Bell and Raphael Brizuela.
The 2008 Mayor’s Cup Winners—Front Row (kneeling): Andres Alvarez, Anthony Burgos, Kevin Campbell, Russell Serrano and Eric Brizuela; Middle Row (standing): Edel Bosa Jr, Felix Galarza, Alvin Vega Jr, Evan Morales, Luis Andujar, Michael Arcela, Eric Mack; Back Row (standing): Coach Ralph Brizuela, Coach Victor Alvarez, Coach Mary F. Bell, Manager Stan Bell Jr. Photo by Kenn Bell, owner of graphicplanet.com
