Little, McCann MVPs of Styles Memorial tourney

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

What do Jack Little and Mike McCann have in common?

Well, they shall ever be linked together as MVPs of the fifth annual Garrett Styles Memorial tournament.

Little was MVP of the first-ever high school championship as the St. Andrews College Saints beat Our Lady of the Lake High School of Sutton 8-5. He went 2-for-3 with an RBI as well as picking up the win pitching six innings allowing three runs -- two earned -- on six hits, while fanning seven.

McCann was MVP of the Emergency Services Tournament, won by the New York State Courts Blue Sox   Toronto Police Iron Hogs by an 11-3 score. McCann went 5-for-10 with three doubles, including 3-for-3 with four RBIs in the final. The NY team has attended every year and this is the first they reached the border and it went like this:

Customs officer: “Anything to declare?”

New York State Courts Blue Sox player: “One championship.”

Rob Casal picked up the win in the final striking out eight pitching seven innings allowing three unearned runs. 

Rob Furyk took the loss, as Kyle Paterson was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.

On June 28, 2011, York Regional Police Constable Garrett Styles #1405 was killed when he was dragged by a car after a traffic stop in East Gwillimbury. Seven years on the job, he left behind his loving wife Melissa and their young children.

A life-long resident of York Region who spent many summers of his youth pitching in tournaments usually before his parents Carol and Garry watching along with sister Meghan as well as brothers Colin and Brent. 

The Styles family wanted to move in the direction of a high school branch to get a message out to the young adults about the importance of making good decisions.  

Austin Hassani, headed to Laurier this fall, was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and two steals for St. Andrew’s. 

Christian Mullen took the loss allowing six runs -- two earned -- and striking out seven.

Andrew Raponi of the Toronto Mets who is headed to Notre Dame College of Ohio went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. 

Jeff Barton, who is headed to Macomb Community College knocked in a pair of runs in the final.

St. Andrew’s also beat King City 11-0 and Cresent 11-0.  

The two tournaments raised $4,000 dollars split between Jump Start and Jayscare charities.

Questions regarding the tournament should be directed to jcarson@yrpa.ca or visit www.1405baseball.com .