New City Little League All Star Softball Teams Win Hank Jaxel Tournament

Two New City Little League softball teams emerged as the first champions of the new Hank Jaxel Memorial Softball Tournament in Nanuet, which raised more than $2,500 to help fund a scholarship in the name of the Nanuet resident who was a longtime advocate of youth softball.

The tournament was organized by Rockland ASA Umpires, which Jaxel was president of until his sudden death at home in May. The tournament was hosted by Nanuet Little League at Heroes Field with the assistance of Congers Little League.

New City softball teams won both the 12 and under competition and the 10 and under competition.

"The tournament really embodied what Hank Jaxel was all about," said Ron Greene of Haverstraw, one of the leaders of the Rockland ASA Umpires and one of the organizers of the Jaxel Tournament. "The girls got to play some more softball and they had a lot of fun. That's what Hank would have wanted."

Jaxel, who was 67, was a longtime volunteer and organizer of youth sports. He was a leading advocate of providing more opportunities for girls in Rockland to play organized softball. As president of Rockland ASA Umpires, he oversaw the assignment of umpires for girls softball games throughout the county.

Members of Rockland ASA Umpires, who also officiate youth baseball games in the county, created a scholarship fund in Jaxel's memory after his death and launched what is planned to be an annual summer softball tournament to support the scholarship.

In this first tournament, seven teams participated in two divisions of play: 12 and under, and 10 and under. The tournament began on Friday and play continued Saturday and was completed Sunday evening. An eighth team that was scheduled to play dropped out of the tournament because of problems with player availability.

In the 12 and under division, the New City All Stars team won the championship by hanging on in extra innings to defeat the Nanuet All Stars 2-1 in the 8th inning.

In the 10 and under division, the New City All Stars team won the championship by defeating Clarkstown Girls Softball, 13-1.

The two New City teams received championship trophies. Greene said the tournament is also recognizing the 10 and under division Clarkstown Girls Softball team with medals for good sportsmanship.

"This team really got the spirit of what the tournament was all about," Greene said. "The team knew it would not be easy and they would be player tougher teams, but they came out every day and played and had fun."

The tournament was open to all organized girls softball leagues across Rockland. The new Hank Jaxel Scholarship will be open to girls softball players from local leagues throughout the county.

Contributions to the scholarship fund can be sent to:

Rockland ASA Umpires Hank Jaxel Scholarship Fund

c/0 Ron Greene

6 Westside Ave.

Haverstraw, N.Y. 10927

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