Woelfle wins local MLB Jr. Home Run Derby

LIBBY — A Bonners Ferry youth has been named champion of the recent under 12 Major League Baseball Jr. Home Run Derby.

Gordon Woelfle, 11, participated in the event on June 4 at Lee Gehring Field in Libby, Mont.

During this competition, each batter is given 25 pitches or 3 minutes to hit the ball a minimum of 200 feet, which is considered a home run. The batter is done when he reaches either the time limit of the pitch limit.

At the 12U level, the ball speed is set at 50 mph. Competing against approximately 15 boys aged 12 and under, Gordon hit a home run in the first round, tying for second.

Due to the tie, the top three then moved onto the championship round where the scores are reset and competitors are again given 25 pitchers or 3 minutes to hit the most home runs.

Gordon hit two home runs for the win, with the other batter batters hitting one and no home runs respectively.

Winners of each local event are then entered into a pool for a chance to compete at the Regional Event at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Wash. Winners of each regional round win an all-expenses paid week-long trip to compete at the national event held during the All Star Game in Seattle.

Gordon plays baseball for the Bonners Giants and is currently awaiting word regarding his acceptance to the Sandpoint Little League All Star Team. His primary positions are pitcher, catcher and shortstop.

Bonners Ferry High School baseball player and two-time league MVP, Trey Bateman coaches Gordon privately in batting, pitching and catching.

Brian Cummings and Mark Ellington also coach Gordon in Little League baseball.

Gordon’s batting stats for the regular season: .968 slugging percent, .613 batting average, 31 at bats, 19 hits, 14 RBIs, 18 runs scored, 11 1B hits, 6 2B hits, 1 3B hits and 1 home run.

MLB Jr. Home Run Derby is a free event series for softball and baseball players — ages 12 to 16 — to showcase hitting skills, compete against peers and earn a spot at the national finals, taking place during the 2023 MLB All-Star Week.

These local events give youth organizations an opportunity to supply a free, fun and high-quality experience for their participants, organizers wrote. Even more, they aim to help the local group markets expand their programs, while building a strong relationship with MLB and its partners.