Kids, adults put skills to the test during Baseball Day in Orillia (6 photos)

Eighth annual event raises money to go toward Orillia Sports Hall of Fame

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1 / 1 Joseph Pereira, of the Martingrove White Sox, prepares to swing Saturday during the home-run derby as part of Baseball Day in Orillia at Kitchener Park. Nathan Taylor/OrilliaMatters

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Peyton Stefaniuk had the right attitude during Saturday’s Baseball Day in Orillia.

After nearly knocking a few out of the park in the home-run derby, the 11-year-old member of the Orillia Autoflex Expos said, “I could have done better.”

But he wasn’t being hard on himself.

“I just like playing and knowing I’ve participated in something,” he said.

Joseph Pereira, 11, managed to hit four over the fence in the first round of the derby and three in the finals.

“I like the home-run derby because you get to see what you can do and test your abilities,” said Pereira, who plays for the Martingrove White Sox.

The event at Kitchener Park wasn’t only for the kids. Adults with the Orillia Slo-Pitch League also took part in regular games as well as skills competitions.

The sunny day turned grey as a downpour in the afternoon put a damper on the event, but it wasn’t long before the clouds parted and action resumed.

John Hammill, who organized the event with Eric Cathcart, deemed it a success, and not only for the participants.

“It’s bigger than just skills competitions; it’s to support a local charity,” he said, referring to the Orillia Sport Council, which will put the money raised through Saturday’s event toward the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame, which will be located in the new recreation centre.

Hammill thanked the City of Orillia for helping to get the diamonds ready, and he acknowledged the event’s sponsors — the Rotary Club of Orillia and OrilliaMatters.

Orillia Legion Minor Ball

Orillia’s mosquito team defeated Bradford, and the peewee select team lost a close game to Muskoka. Orillia’s minor peewee rep team lost to Martingrove.

Skills competitions (rookie and T-ball)

Fastest runner: Jonah Hall (Washago)

Hardest hitter: Jaxon Serbinek (Orillia)

Farthest throw: Colton Shepherd (Orillia)

Skills competitions (12 and under)

Home-run derby: Ryan Boyle (Orillia)

Fastest pitch: Reece Cordeiro (Orillia)

Fastest runner: Edgar Ancheta (Martingrove)

Skills competitions (13 and over)

Home-run derby: Briar Decaire (Orillia)

Fastest runner: Whyatt Winkel (Severn)

Fastest pitch: Aydan Hall (Washago)