On April 14, the Mamaroneck Tigers touched down in West Palm Beach, Florida. With three games in a span of five days, the Tigers were ready for a week filled with sun, fun, and competition. The boys had an intense schedule, packed with baseball, meals, and more baseball. With their days starting at six in the morning and ending late in the afternoon, their trip to the Jackie Robinson Complex in Vero Beach, Florida was bound to not only sharpen the team’s overall play but strengthen team chemistry and comradery as well.
After a long day of traveling, the Tigers arrived at the Jackie Robinson Complex late in the afternoon where they were immediately on the field practicing and preparing for the competition they would soon face. Commenting on the team’s work ethic and commitment to get better, Junior Captain Luke Reagins (‘26) had this to say: “playing baseball isn’t something that we feel is required out of us, or a burden to work at. Every player on this team genuinely enjoys playing the sport, so when we had the opportunity to practice under the lights on a beautiful turf field, everybody was eager. We’re all determined to become part of the Mamaroneck Baseball history books.”
The Jackie Robinson Complex is historically significant, especially in the realms of baseball. Opening in 1948 under the original name “Dodgertown,” the Jackie Robinson Complex was the first racially integrated baseball spring training facility in the South during times of segregation. Until its closing in 2008, this facility was used by the Brooklyn Dodgers, and later the Los Angeles Dodgers, during their spring training. Many famous Dodgers, such as Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Sandy Koufax all stayed and played on the same grounds that the Tigers played on over break. When asked about playing on such historic grounds, Senior Captain Tommy Griffith (‘25) expressed, “Playing where so many Hall of Famers played in spring training felt almost like we had to play and act to a certain standard. The complex was superb, and it was an overall A+ trip for us.”
The Tigers went a respectable 2-1 during their stay at Vero Beach. Their first game was against Bishop Fenwick (Ohio), and the Tigers walked away with a victory, winning 18-12. Key performances from that game included Duncan McInnes, going 5-5 with a walk, and Noah Bauer closing the game out with three scoreless innings. The Tigers next competed against Wakefield (Virginia), winning with a final score of 13-0. Notable performances from that game included Graham Williams, pitching a complete game and allowing only one hit, as well as Declan McIntyre with a bunt-double. In the third and final game, the Tigers fell to the Manalapan Braves (New Jersey), 10–5, concluding their trip on a sour note. Despite their loss, Plunkett (‘26) had more to say about their opponents: “The competition in Florida was very good but nothing we weren’t prepared for. Overall, it was a great experience and only enhanced our team comradery. The teams we played in Florida compare to the very good section one teams that we’re going to have to compete with in order to accomplish our ultimate goals.”
