By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE they didn’t have an official opening, the New Providence Amateur Baseball League finally staged its new season after a 19-year hiatus on Sunday at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.

The league, headed by NPABA president Jeff ‘Sangy’ Francis, got started with the Rebels Over-18 prevailing 10-7 over the Joshua Outlawz Over-18. The Rebels Over-18 came back to win despite trailing 7-1 in the second.

Joshua Outlawz Over-18 jumped out to the lead in the bottom of the first inning after Joel Miller drew a walk, scoring one run, Jamal Cooper drew a walk, scoring one run, and Norman Bastian scored after tagging up.

An error, and a single by Jamal Cooper helped Joshua Outlawz Over-18 extend their early lead in the second.

The Rebels Over-18 tied the game up in the top of the fourth thanks to two singles and they tied the game at seven on a single by Davante Brown.

The Rebels Over-18 took the lead in the top of the fifth inning after J Bain walked, Zach Gibson walked, and Davante Brown walked, each scoring one run.

Kendall Brown started on the bump for Joshua Outlawz Over-18 as he gave up two hits and four runs (one earned) over three innings, striking out three and walking five. 

Amahj McPhee threw one inning of no-run ball for the Rebels Over-18 in relief. The reliever allowed zero hits, striking out one and walking two.

Tyler Munroe, Amahj McPhee, Zach Gibson, and Davante Brown each collected one hit for the Rebels Over-18. Zach Gibson led the Rebels Over-18 with three walks. 

Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating 13 walks for the game. Tyler Munroe, Stefan McKenzie, Zach Gibson, J Bain, and Pharon Edgecombe each stole multiple bases for the Rebels Over-18, who stole 13 bases in the game.

Jamal Cooper and Nathan Miller each collected one hit for Joshua Outlawz Over-18. Norman Bastian, Jamal Cooper, Joel Miller, and Max Gomez each drove in one run for the Joshua Outlawz Over-18. Avery Bain Jr led Joshua Outlawz Over-18 with two walks. 

Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, piling up nine walks for the game. Joshua Outlawz Over-18 stole five bases in the game. Joshua Outlawz Over-18 turned one double play in the game.

Francis said they had a quiet opening, giving the teams fully uniformed before they host the ceremony. He said they’re still trying to secure sponsorship for all of the five teams.

“Every day, we see a lot of roster movements with players coming home from school and college and when they find out there is a baseball season, rosters are starting to full up,” Francis said.

“So it’s going to be exciting. So as we go from Wednesday night, we will have two new teams on the diamond and then we are back on Sunday. So we will see how excited the ball players are to come out and play.”

Francis anticipates that this will be a very competitive league as they showcase some of the rising young stars, who never got to play night league baseball, which would have last played when some of them were just born.

The league will continue this week with the following matches on tap:

 Wednesday’s schedule

8 pm Sharks vs Reapers.

Friday’s schedule

6:45 pm Community Baseball League vs Sharks.

9 pm Reapers vs Outlawz.

Sunday’s schedule

3 pm Blue Power vs Community Baseball League.

5:15 pm Outlawz vs Sharks