Court House youth caps terrific summer of baseball by winning Phillies Home Run Derby

Posted: September 3rd 2024

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

Gavin McDonnell enjoyed a magical summer playing baseball.

He capped it on the grandest of stages.

McDonnell, of Cape May Court House, captured top honors in the 11- and 12-year-old age group in the Phillies Home Run Derby competition Saturday at Citizens Bank.

“It was very fun,” said McDonnell, who turned 13 in June but was young enough to qualify for the 11-12 age group when the competition began. “I was excited to do it. It was a very good experience.”

McDonnell earned the chance to compete in the event’s 2024 finals by winning local and regional competitions earlier this year. Both of those competitions were hosted by the Middle Township Baseball-Softball Association. 

In the Phillies Home Run Derby, contestants receive one practice swing and 10 competition swings. Batters in McDonnell’s age division were awarded two points for a ball that traveled at least 125 feet and five points for a ball that traveled at least 175 feet. McDonnell scored 46 points to win the age group by a comfortable margin – the second-place finisher posted 39 points – and came just four points shy of a perfect score.

McDonnell stood in the same batter’s box used by Phillies stars and lashed enough deep hits to win the competition. Pitches are thrown via a pitching machine.

“I wasn’t really that nervous before it but when I walked up to hit I was a little bit,” McDonnell said. “I took a couple deep breaths and told myself I just have to do my thing and just hit.

“I was happy. I was proud of myself. When I was done I thought my score would have a good chance to be in first (place).”

McDonnell was presented with a large trophy and was later honored by the Phillies prior to the team’s game against the Atlanta Braves that night. He was joined during the ceremony honoring the top three in each age group by former Phillies standout Milt Thompson, who now works for the team. He said he also received a signed baseball from Phillies shortstop Trea Turner.

“I was nervous for that more than hitting because it was on TV and you’re getting your name announced in front of 30,000 people,” he said. 

The Phillies Home Run Derby victory finished a terrific baseball summer for McDonnell, who mostly plays as a catcher but can also occasionally pitch and play at other positions. After playing both middle school and Senior Babe Ruth baseball in the spring, McDonnell competed for the South Jersey Ospreys travel team and was able to participate in a prestigious tournament in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., in early August. On either side of that tournament, McDonnell also played in a pair of high-level tournaments with the Atlantic Shore Babe Ruth all-star team, which was runner-up in a regional tournament outside Pittsburgh before also competing in the national championship tournament in Virginia in mid to late August.

“It was amazing, a lot of fun,” said McDonnell, who begins his eighth-grade school year this week. “It was probably the best summer of my life. To be around all my friends playing all that baseball, it was a very fun experience.”

Another local baseball player, Carter Conway, of Lower Township, also reached the finals of the Phillies Home Run Derby but did not place among the top three in the 9- and 10-year-old age group.

Contestants at the Phillies Home Run Derby finals had their names and scores posted on the large scoreboard above the left-field bleachers at Citizens Banks Park.

Gavin McDonnell stands with former Phillies standout Milt Thompson (right) and another Phillies staffer while being honored as Home Run Derby champion prior to the Phillies game against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday evening.