Papaj competes in national diamond tourney

Contributed Story Posted 22 August 2019 at 7:43 pm

Contributed Photo – Aidan Papaj

Aidan Papaj of Medina played in the Baseball Youth All-American Baseball national tournament again this summer. He went to Ocean City Maryland August 16-19th.

Papaj played for the 2027 BY Liberty and the team went 4-1 (3-0 in pool play and 1-1 in playoffs) on the weekend only losing in the finals and finishing in second place. He played second base, shortstop and pitched throughout the tournament.  He also placed 4th (out of 40 players) in the Home Run Derby  Sunday night in the 2027 age group. He hit 11 home runs earning 19 points.

Over this summer Papaj also played travel baseball for the Lockport ANJO Bombers 10u which went 33-12.

The Bombers placed second in the Darien Lake Tournament in May and placed first in the Battle of the Falls Tournament early in June. The first game of that tournament, Papaj pitched a perfect game striking out 7 batters with the team going 5-0 on the weekend.  They also won the WNY Boys of Summer Kick Off Tournament and won the Gold division in the Grand Island Tournament. He plays outfield and pitches for the Bombers.

Papaj also played for the North Tonawanda Americans 9u travel team which compiled a 23-9-2 record on the season.  The Americans placed first in the Orchard Park Tournament, second in the Grand Island Tournament and second in the Boys of Summer Kick Off Tournament also.  In the NY State Tournament Field Day, he  came in first place in the 9u Home run Derby.  For the Americans he is a pitcher and short stop.