Baseball tourney features inspiration
MCHENRY COUNTY — At the 30th annual McHenry County Youth Sports Association(MCYSA) youth there was an international flavor a local team nearly secured an unlikely upset with an inspirational player leading the way.
The Rawlings Tigers 15U team pushed Team Japan at the game in Crystal Lake, but they could not quite finish the task wit as it ended with a 10-6 loss. The game was tied at 6-6 as late as the sixth inning.
Team Japan prevailed in the oldest age bracket, 15U. It took a late comeback against Rawlings Tigers for the win, with a four-run last at-bat on a three-run homer, but that’s not the full story here. The McHenry County squad includes a lesson in courage by Josh Colaizzi, who has overcome a serious eye condition.
“He overwhelmed all of us this season,” said mom, Faly Colaizzi.
Colaizzi plays multiple positions for the Tigers, hits lead-off, and had a highlight of hitting a home run against the undefeated Team Japan. He is going into his sophomore year at Bartlett High School.
“I didn’t think it went out when I hit it,” Josh said. “It was a great game – we have good respect for them.”
“We had them in the previous game, too (a 5-3 loss in 12 innings),” assistant coach Steve Colaizzi said. “The kids had a great time – they’ll stay in touch via Facebook.”
“He has been playing baseball since he was 3-years-old,” Faly said. “We have a hole on the siding of our house when he hit it so hard.”
This season, Josh Colaizzi has gained many all-tournament honors,is invited to camps for elite players and made the Illinois Prairie Games squad.
Tigers head coach Brandon Schwab, whose son Brandon plays for McHenry, praised Colaizzi’s courage.
“He is just an awesome kid,” Schwab said. “The week he had his eye surgery, he was working out in the weight room. He is just a gifted athlete.
Colaizzi and teammates said they enjoyed the challenge of playing against Team Japan.
“It’s been crazy, we gave them a good fight,” player Jeff Schwab said.
The Schwabs were one of several host families, to the many international continents, including Team Japan.
“As host families, we help introduce the players to the American culture. My family was nervous at first but it worked out great. There’s an app for translation the players have on their I-phones, and the kids had a blast,” Brandon Schwab said. “I played here in the tournament’s second year in 1994.”
MCYSA Executive Tournament Director Dan Malone praised the importance of the host families to the tournament’s success.
The nine-day MCYSA tournament marked its 30th anniversary this year. Team Japan enjoyed a trip to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs-Nationals game to see their hero, Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzucki. They had photos taken with the Cubs star after batting practice, and met Cubs Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ as well. One Team Japan player returned to his home stay house with a MLB bat presented to him by Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya.
