Chris Fines was presented with the 2023 Manitoba Junior Baseball League’s All-Star Shortstop Award at Quarry Park on Sunday.
The shortstop was named the best at his position for the 2023 season and has been a force in the league since joining the Interlake Jr. Blue Jays back in 2020.
“Chris has been a leader for this team and is a very good player,” said Jays head coach Dave Meyers. “As a coach I like his leadership and his approach to the game. He does not take nights off, always gives a hundred per cent and that’s all I can ask from him. He’s a very good young man.”
Fines and the Jays also had games to play this weekend as they took on two of the league’s top three teams in the St. James A’s and Carillon Sultans.
Friday night they took on the A’s at Optimist Field in Winnipeg.
The Jays entered the game in fourth place, two games back of the A’s for third place in the MJBL.
A hard-fought game saw the Jays grab a 5-3 win as they narrowed the A’s lead in the standings.
Sunday the Jays had a doubleheader against the first place Carillon Sultans at Quarry Park.
The Jays stunned the Sultans in game one with an 11-3 victory to hand the Sultans their second loss of the season.
In the afternoon game the Jays almost did it again as the game came down to the final inning.
Both teams’ bats were hot during the game, but the Sultans got the extra run that was needed to win as they stole Game two 7-6.
A 2-1 weekend with wins against two of the league’s best teams has the Jays feeling confident heading into next week’s games.
The club sits fourth in the MJBL with a 7-5 record.
Wednesday night the Jays take on the Pembina Valley Orioles (4-7) at 7:30 p.m. from Quarry Park.
They will also host the A’s for a Sunday doubleheader where they will have a chance to move into third place.
The games from Quarry Park will go at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Tribune Photos by Lana Meier
