VARSITY > Homesteads Top Crawfords 15-8 To Win 2025 Toronto Playgrounds Baseball Association House League Tournament 18U Varsity Division Championship Game

FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS, THE HOMESTEADS PREVAIL OVER THE CRAWFORDS TO CAPTURE THE 2025 TPBA HOUSE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT 18U VARSITY DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZE AT DOMINICO FIELD AT CHRISTIE PITS

Beneath a blue ceiling of warm and sunny skies, the Homesteads defeated the Crawfords 15-8 in a six inning 2025 Toronto Playgrounds Baseball Association (TPBA) House League Tournament 18U Varsity Division Championship Game this afternoon at Dominico Field at Christie Pits. 

With resolve, the Homesteads jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top portion of the first inning.

Following a leadoff single and stolen base by Jude (12), Sammy (10) delivered a RBI double that allowed Jude to hustle home with the opening run of the proceedings.

After a theft of third base by Sammy, Stanley (9) stroked a one out RBI single that brought Sammy home with a Homesteads run.

Following a walk by Kieren (11) that put two runners on the dancefloor, the Crawfords uncorked a wild pitch that advanced Kieren over to second and allowed Stanley to score a run for the Homesteads.

After moving over to third on a wild pitch, Kieren took advantage of a wild pitch by the Crawfords to come home with another run for the Homesteads.

In a spirited effort, Crawfords starter Andy (2) tallied a strikeout against the Homesteads in the first frame.

Not to be outdone, the Crawfords answered back in lickety-split fashion with a three spot in the bottom of the first inning to trim the margin to 4-3.

After speeding down the first baseline like a gazelle for a leadoff single, Andy utilized a deft steal to move over into scoring position at second base.

Kingston (14) followed with a one out RBI single that brought Andy home with the Crawfords first run of the game.

After Kingston completed a down and dirty theft of second, Roman (4) delivered a RBI hit that allowed Kingston to come home to roost with a Crawfords run.

Following a pair of steals that advanced him into optimal scoring position at third, Roman took advantage of a passed ball to score another run for the Crawfords.

In an unflinching effort, Homesteads starter Kieren sandwiched a lineout between two strikeouts to end the Crawfords sedition in the first frame.

Throwing down the gauntlet, the Homesteads replied with four runs in the top of the second inning to extend their upper hand to 8-3.

After a leadoff walk and stolen base by Austin (3), Michael (15) drew a walk that put two ducks on the pond.

Following a theft of third and second base respectively by Austin and Michael, the Crawfords uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Michael to move over to third, and brought Austin homeward with a run for the Homesteads.

With one out, Michael took full measure of another Crawfords wild pitch to zoom home with a Homesteads run.

After Jude garnered a walk and a stolen base that positioned him at second base, Sammy delivered a RBI double that allowed Jude to motor home with another Homesteads run.

Following a debonair steal of third by Sammy, Payton capped off the Homesteads big second inning by hitting into a 4-3 groundout that allowed Sammy to score.

In an unflinching effort, Crawfords reliver James (12) tallied a pop out and a groundout against the Homesteads in the second frame.

Putting the pedal to the metal, the Crawfords answered back with four runs in the bottom of the second inning to trail 8-7.

After a one out walk and a pair stolen bases that advanced him over to third base, Andy pounced on a wild pitch by the Homesteads to barrel home with a Crawfords run.

Following a two out walk and stolen base by James, Roman powered a clutch RBI double that allowed James to come home to score a run for the Crawfords.

After a theft of third, Roman took advantage of a wild pitch by the Homesteads to hustle home with another run for the Crawfords.

Following a walk, Theo (8) utilized a stolen base and a Homesteads error to advance over to third.

Silas (7) stepped up to the dish and delivered a grace under pressure RBI hit that allowed Theo to score a run that pulled the Crawfords within one of the Homesteads.

In a gallant effort, Homesteads reliever Jude rang up two strikeouts against the Crawfords in the second frame.

On a mission, the Homesteads scored a run in the top portion of the third inning to widen their margin to 9-7.

After garnering a one out walk, Kieren made like Bennie and the Jets as he swiped his way around the horn to third base with aplomb.

Taking advantage of a dropped third strike during Austin’s at bat, Kieren bolted home with a Homesteads run.

In a stalwart effort, Crawfords reliever Silas racked up a pop out and two strikeouts against the Homesteads in the third frame.

While riding atop a John Deere X500 Select Series 25.5 HP 54-inch Accel Deep Lawn Tractor, Homesteads reliever Sammy mowed down the Crawfords with three scintillating strikeouts that kept them off the scoring ledger.

Going for the jugular, the Homesteads scored four in the top of the fourth inning to extend their upper hand to 13-7.

After drawing a leadoff walk, Benji (1) swiped his way around the diamond to third base with a pair of freewheeling steals.

Jude followed with a RBI 5-3 groundout that brought Benji homeward with a Homesteads run.

Following a one out single by Sammy, Payton garnered a walk that put two Homesteads on base.

After a series of  aggressive steals that positioned Sammy and Payton respectively at third and second, the Crawfords uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Payton to move over to third and brought Sammy home with a Homesteads run.

Taking advantage of another wild pitch by the Crawfords, Payton charged home with another Homesteads run.

Reelin’ and rockin’, the Homesteads continued to ratchet up the pressure on the Crawfords after Stanley and Kieren drew back to back walks that put two runners on the runway.

Following a pair of steals that put Homesteads baserunners at third and second, the Crawfords unfurled another wild pitch that allowed Stanley to bolt home and score a run that capped off their four run fourth inning firestorm.

In a valiant effort, Crawfords reliever James tallied a groundout versus the Homesteads in the fourth frame.

With no inclination to throw in the towel, the Crawfords gamely threatened in the bottom of the fourth inning by loading the bases. However, the Crawfords managed to score only one run to close the gap to 13-8.

After a leadoff walk by James, Roman followed with a walk that put two Crawfords on base.

With one out and runners on third and second base, Silas delivered a RBI single that advanced Roman to third and brought James home with a Crawfords run.

Exercising patience at the dish, Solomon followed with a walk that allowed the Crawfords to load the bases.

Subsequently, with two outs and the bases jammed tighter than rush hour traffic on the Gardiner Expressway, Crawfords baserunner Roman made a bold as brass decision to steal home.

As Roman barreled homeward towards pay dirt, Homesteads catcher Stanley took receipt of the lightning throw from relief pitcher Payton, and tagged out Roman on a chitty chitty bang bang 1-2 play at the plate to bring the curtain down on the Crawfords comeback bid in the fourth inning!

In a rock-ribbed effort, Homesteads reliever Payton chalked up two strikeouts versus the Crawfords in the fourth frame.

In the top portion of the fifth inning, the Homesteads tacked on a pair of Great-West Life insurance runs to solidify their plurality at 15-8.

Following a leadoff walks by Austin and Michael, Benji garnered a walk that loaded the bases for the Homesteads.

With one out and the bases packed tighter than a tin of StarKist Tuna, Sammy delivered a sharp as cheddar cheese two RBI single that moved Benji to second, and brought Austin and Michael home to roost with a pair of runs for the Homesteads.

In a spirited effort, Crawfords reliever Andy rang up a pop out, strikeout and a groundout to diffuse the Homesteads jacquerie in the fifth frame.

Refusing to go down quietly, the Crawfords threatened again in the bottom of the fifth inning.

After Kingston and James reached base with respective walks, Roman followed suit with another walk that allowed the Crawfords to load the bases.

With death-or-glory resolve, Homesteads reliever Payton found the groove as he reeled off three Nasty Canasta strikeouts that left the bases loaded and sent the Crawfords packing in the fifth frame.

The Homesteads threatened in the top of the sixth inning following a leadoff hit by Kieren.

With no desire to mince words, Crawfords reliever Silas chalked up three consecutive strikeouts to terminate the Homesteads insurgency in the sixth frame.

Down by seven, the Crawfords donned their rally caps as they came up for their final at bats in the bottom of the sixth inning. 

With inclination to pussyfoot around the mulberry bush, Homesteads reliever Sammy rang up three scintillating strikeouts to seal the deal and bring the curtain down on their TPBA 18U Varsity Division House League Championship victory over the Crawfords.