Local slo-pitch players were able to showcase their power on May 24 as part of the inaugural Blanny’s Gear Charity Home Run Derby.
Jordon Blanchette, who owns Blanny’s Gear and who organized the event, said they had 12 players entered. It was a good opportunity for people to get out and do something.
Quinn Brown defeated Preston Leatherdale in the final of the single knockout elimination event. Brown hit nine home runs over the course of five rounds.
The longest home run was 361 feet.
There was also a women’s bracket with four women entered. Cathy Blanchette was the winner with four home runs.
Jordon Blanchette also had a radar gun set up to measure velocity when players were hitting balls off a tee. Devin Shirley was the winner at 93.3 miles per hour. A total of 35 people hit in the velocity contest.
People reached out to him for an opportunity to compete in the derby. It’s the first time he has organized the event.
“It turned into a good thing. I think we’re going to be doing this quite a bit more.”
Mets Stadium was selected due to its deeper dimensions to centre field and the foul pole. The powerful winds that day made it difficult to hit a home run to some areas of the park.
Prizes were awarded for the home run contest and the velocity competition. Entry fees for the velocity contest were donated to Limitless, which enhances the quality of life for individuals and families living with disabilities, by strengthening communities, promoting inclusion and eliminating access barriers.
Blanchette said Limitless was chosen because Conrad and Kandyce Meili, who run the organization, are great people, and they’re doing great things to support young people in the community.
