2020 Blue Jays Post Successful Season in Glory Days Baseball League in New Jersey

Glory Days Baseball League (NJ)

‘Blue Jays Post Dramatic Season in Glory Days Baseball League’

Submitted by Michael Caputo, League President

This season was a challenge for our league. We were not sure we’d even get a chance to play due to Covid restrictions.  We watched as most of the Little Leagues cancelled their seasons, but stayed patient and waited.  Once we found out baseball would be allowed, we jumped on it. I met with our umps and we kickstarted the season with little issue.

The one difference was placement of umpires. Having them calling games in non-traditional spots led to a few issues during games.  However, our partnership with the ECIUA regarding umpiring was exceptional. We discussed the issues and did our best to remedy them.  They have been an excellent group to work with.

Weather and COVID field closures made for an interesting middle of the season, but we were able to get all of our scheduled games in.  I applaud all of our managers and players for being understanding as we navigated a very interesting 2020 baseball season.

The Blue Jays made it to the Championship game after winning arguably the greatest game in GDBL history. It was a back and forth game against the Mariners for the right to face the undefeated Shocker in the finale.

The Blue Jays went up early, only to concede the lead late in the game. It was bottom of the seventh, two outs, a runner on first and down by one when Kenny “the Stache” Mercadente came to the plate. He crushed a first pitch over the fence for the walkoff win!  The first walkoff homerun in GDBL history.

Unfortunately, the Blue Jays didn’t have enough pitching to tackle the Shockers and lost the finale 9-4.  It was a challenging, but exciting season.