After a thrilling contest Ranabima Baseball Club beat Old Royalists Baseball Club to annex the National Open Knockout Baseball Championship which ended at the University Ground last Sunday (8).
Ranabima maintaining a healthy run throughout the tournament which ran for three days scored 11 runs against Old Royalists who came close by scoring nine runs.
They went on to clinch the LG Challenge Trophy and rupees 25,000 as cash award.
Old Royalists had to be content with the runners-up trophy and a cash prize of rupees 15,000.
The champion team went on to sweep four of five individual awards given away based on performances.
Krishna Hapuarachchi of Ranabima was named the most valuable player of the tournament.
His team mate Sanjeewa Manna Uthum won the man-of-the-match award for his brilliance in the final.
In addition from Ranabima C.B. Jayasiri won the best pitcher’s award while S. Deeshan claimed the best fielder’s prize.
Akalanka Ranasinghe from Old Royalists was named the best hitter.
On their way to the final Ranabima beat Maroons Baseball Club by 5 runs to 1 while Old Royalists beat Army Sports Club by 11 runs to 4.
The losing semi-finalists clashed in the third place play-off and Maroons after a tight battle went on to beat Army SC by 2 runs to nothing to clinch the third place of the tournament.
The third edition of the knockout tournament began on January 6 and was played for three days.
Japanese Ambassador Nobuhito Hobo graced the awards ceremony as the chief guest.
Baseball had been in existence in Sri Lanka since 1985 after the sport was introduced by the Embassy of USA.
The tournament was organised by the Sri Lanka Amateur Baseball and Softball Association with the sponsorship of LG Abans.
