Fusion Baseball Scores Second Championship

Editor's note: The following information was provided by Diane Moca. 

Lightning has struck twice for Woodridge's newest travel baseball team, as the Fusion take home a second championship in the past six months -- another successful upset due to heart and determination.     

Fusion is a team of 9, 10 and 11-year-olds who were chosen last fall to create a new top-notch baseball program in the western suburbs. The players exceeded the coaches' expectations in the first year. 

The group of  all 12 boys who practiced together all winter and played together all spring returned in the fall to field a team in Burr Ridge's Fall Ball League in the competitive division. Despite some of the players also participating in other fall sports, like soccer and football, the team gave 110 percent every game and entered the playoffs looking strong.     

Head Coach Gary Garland and Assistant Coach Mike Blaum, who were assistant coaches for the spring travel team, led the team to wins all the way through the playoffs -- including the final nail-biting game when Fusion beat the first-place seed despite some nasty cold weather.     

After a back-and-forth battle between Fusion and the Hawks, Fusion came up on top 15-12. The boys were jumping up and down in the outfield to keep warm during the 40-degree game, and then they were jumping all over each other after the final out -- singing "We are the champions, again!"     

This was a team started from scrach just this year by some passionate coaches, kids, parents and sponsors. They beat a seasoned team with more resources and a perfect record to take the championship in the West Suburban Baseball League this summer.