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HONESDALE — The future of local baseball should be extremely bright if a recent show of hitting expertise is any indication.
On June 7, the Honesdale Area Jaycees hosted their 47th annual Home Run Derby at the Daniel J. O’Neill Sports Complex. This year’s event attracted about 50 young sluggers hoping to win a trophy and advance to the next level of the statewide competition.
The derby once again saw local Jaycees team up with the Phillies, a partnership that’s now lasted for nearly a half-century. Winners at this level have a chance to advance all the way to Philadelphia for the championship finals.
More: Honesdale Area Jaycees partner with Philadelphia Phillies for the 2025 home run derby
Also by Kevin Edwards: Honesdale Area Jaycees host tip-off dinner for 65th annual high school basketball tourney
Paul Bradley, whose dad organized the very first Home Run Derby in Honesdale back in 1979, was on hand to run the 2026 event.
“It was a great day,” Bradley said. “The kids just had a blast. It was another really good turnout and I can’t thank the Jaycees enough for hosting. They always do a fantastic job.”
The 2026 Home Run Derby was open to boys and girls ages 7-12. The event was divided into six divisions with awards presented to the top three finishers in each bracket.
Action got underway at 10 a.m. last Sunday on the turf at the Honesdale High School field. The girls competition took place first, followed by the boys two hours later.
A pitching machine was used to ensure that each participant batted under identical conditions. Batters are allowed one warm-up swing and then 10 swings that count.
A swing and miss or a foul ball receive zero points. Every fair ball is awarded at least one point with additional points added for further distance traveled.
After 10 swings, the batter’s score is totaled and compared with others in his/her age division. The top three hitters in each bracket move on to the next level.
Everyone who qualified at Honesdale will advance to this year’s regional competition, which is scheduled for Walnutport on August 1.
The top sluggers at each regional event then travel to Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia for the championship on Sunday, Sept. 6. Boys and girls will have their chance to swing from the heels prior to the Phillies game versus Atlanta.
When the dust settled and all the scores were tallied up, a total of 16 local boys and girls qualified for a trip to regionals.
•Girls 7-8: Kathryn Seifert
•Girls 9-10: Iyla Karausky, Molly Warner, Hailey Schuman
•Girls 11-12: Winnie Tallman, Ruby Bortree, Mary Kate Weidner.
•Boys 7-8: Jonathan Warner, Thomas Tigue, Brayden Schuman
•Boys 9-10: David Hartung, Liam Curtis, Blake Estus
•Boys 11-12: Xavier Hidalgo, Joseph Pica, Ben Spencer.
“We were delighted to host the 2026 Home Run Derby,” said current Jaycees president Chris Novoa. “And we’re truly excited to support these young athletes who are hoping to hear their names called at Citizen’s Bank Park.”
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Honesdale Area Jaycees host 47th annual Phillies Home Run Derby
Continue reading...
On June 7, the Honesdale Area Jaycees hosted their 47th annual Home Run Derby at the Daniel J. O’Neill Sports Complex. This year’s event attracted about 50 young sluggers hoping to win a trophy and advance to the next level of the statewide competition.
The derby once again saw local Jaycees team up with the Phillies, a partnership that’s now lasted for nearly a half-century. Winners at this level have a chance to advance all the way to Philadelphia for the championship finals.
More: Honesdale Area Jaycees partner with Philadelphia Phillies for the 2025 home run derby
Also by Kevin Edwards: Honesdale Area Jaycees host tip-off dinner for 65th annual high school basketball tourney
Paul Bradley, whose dad organized the very first Home Run Derby in Honesdale back in 1979, was on hand to run the 2026 event.
“It was a great day,” Bradley said. “The kids just had a blast. It was another really good turnout and I can’t thank the Jaycees enough for hosting. They always do a fantastic job.”
The big boppers
The 2026 Home Run Derby was open to boys and girls ages 7-12. The event was divided into six divisions with awards presented to the top three finishers in each bracket.
Action got underway at 10 a.m. last Sunday on the turf at the Honesdale High School field. The girls competition took place first, followed by the boys two hours later.
You must be registered for see images attach
A pitching machine was used to ensure that each participant batted under identical conditions. Batters are allowed one warm-up swing and then 10 swings that count.
A swing and miss or a foul ball receive zero points. Every fair ball is awarded at least one point with additional points added for further distance traveled.
After 10 swings, the batter’s score is totaled and compared with others in his/her age division. The top three hitters in each bracket move on to the next level.
You must be registered for see images attach
Everyone who qualified at Honesdale will advance to this year’s regional competition, which is scheduled for Walnutport on August 1.
The top sluggers at each regional event then travel to Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia for the championship on Sunday, Sept. 6. Boys and girls will have their chance to swing from the heels prior to the Phillies game versus Atlanta.
Regional qualifiers
When the dust settled and all the scores were tallied up, a total of 16 local boys and girls qualified for a trip to regionals.
•Girls 7-8: Kathryn Seifert
•Girls 9-10: Iyla Karausky, Molly Warner, Hailey Schuman
You must be registered for see images attach
•Girls 11-12: Winnie Tallman, Ruby Bortree, Mary Kate Weidner.
•Boys 7-8: Jonathan Warner, Thomas Tigue, Brayden Schuman
•Boys 9-10: David Hartung, Liam Curtis, Blake Estus
•Boys 11-12: Xavier Hidalgo, Joseph Pica, Ben Spencer.
“We were delighted to host the 2026 Home Run Derby,” said current Jaycees president Chris Novoa. “And we’re truly excited to support these young athletes who are hoping to hear their names called at Citizen’s Bank Park.”
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Honesdale Area Jaycees host 47th annual Phillies Home Run Derby
Continue reading...
