Joe Jensen walked in the footsteps
of legends on Sunday, June
25. ##M:[more]## He stood on the field at the fabled Yankee Stadium. He had his name called by Bob Sheppard, the same public address annoucer that has called the names of Jeter, Jackson,
Munson, and Mantle. He was cheered by a crowd of baseball fans that had all come to the house that
Ruth built to watch the first game in a day-night double header.
Jensen, 13, a West Windsor little league all-star, can appreciate having lived out a lifelong dream. The only trouble is, it’s not his dream.
Jensen would rather have been at Shea Stadium.
The loyal Mets fan earned his way onto their cross-town rivals’ turf by virtue of outstanding performance in the Pitch, Hit, and Run contest sponsored by Pepsi and Major League Baseball.
Jensen isn’t satisfied with performing as well as he did. He had hoped to be one of the top 4 in the
nation, and earn a trip to this year’s All-Star game in Pittsburgh. He has performed well as a member of the West Windsor 12-year-old allstars,
helping the team to a 4-0 start in the District 12 tournament.
The contest, held in each of the 30 Major League parks, involves three events. Contestants throw six pitches, and are rated on their accuracy. They’re timed running from second base to home plate, and they hit three balls off a tee, and are
scored on distance.
Jensen can compete in the contest next year. His immediate task is to help the his all-star team advance in the chase for the Little League World Series.
