Ohio Valley Jokers 13U Are A Veteran Travel Baseball Team
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ELM GROVE -- Ohio Valley Jokers youth baseball gives nearly 100 kids an opportunity to play against some of the best competition, not just in the Ohio Valley, but all across the East Coast.
The Jokers came about when Wheeling businessman Phil Sauvageot watched his oldest son, P.J., play for several travel teams during his younger days. He saw how excited the kids were to get to play different teams from all over.
So, with a set of twins coming up, Sauvageot, who owns IC Staffing Solutions, IC Home Care and IC Cab, decided to start his own program. That was in 2018 when the current team started playing in the 9U division.
It has grown into a program of 17 teams from 9U to 13U. There are two 10U teams and a pair of 11U squads.
"There are life lessons that can be learned from baseball, not just the game itself," the head coach stressed.
That was what happened in their early game on Friday in the Beast of the East 14U bracket. After going 2-0 on the first day of action, the Jokers were blanked 11-0 by the Washington (Pa.) Wolverines. However, showing a lot of resolve, they bounced back and roared past the Steel City Maulers, 14-6, in a game stopped after five innings due to the mercy-rule.
"We told the kids before this game that that game is over and we can't do anything about it," Sauvageot said. "What's the old Mike Tyson line, "You get punched in the mouth, you see what happens. I think we responded today. I'm pretty pleased with the way we are playing as a 13U team in a 14U tournament."
He said there are eight original members of the Jokers 9U still playing today. They include his twins - Carson and Roman who attend Linsly - along with fellow Cadets Vinny Gorence, Connor Nelson and Brodi Prout. There are four Steubenville residents on the team in Landon Bowers, AJ Borsch, Saige Smarrella and Braidyn Edwards. St. Clairsville's duo of Hudson Florence and Jaxon Starks complete the roster.
"That's hard to put into words," Coach Sauvageot admitted when asked how far these kids have come. "You know we could always hit -- see the ball, hit the ball, but we couldn't pitch or catch with some of the teams we were playing," he explained. "We have really improved on defense, as well.
"I'm also so proud to have watched them grow up into young men. It's truly been a remarkable experience."
The 13U team is 3-1 - 25-10 overall - heading into Saturday's action.
"We'll go play two (games) tomorrow (Saturday) and then get ready for Sunday," Coach Sauvageot noted. "We need to get some arms rested. It's like a war of attrition to see which team's pitching can last."
He said the kids weren't overwhelmed with the tournament.
"There are 6-7 of them who had older brothers that played in the Beast with various teams. So, they kind of knew what to expect."
Assisting with the 13U team are Greg Bowers and Frank Ferrell.