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Hitting walk-off home run is something Rincon, Bayonne won’t forget

By Chris Masse 5 min read

Bayonne, New Jersey manager Justin Smith offered Metro Regional tournament coaches some advice. Most listened, too.

There, Smith said if they hoped to avoid home runs, then don't pitch to Bayonne slugger Mason Rincon. Following Bayonne's Series debut, Wednesday Smith reversed course.

"I used to say if you want to avoid the home run, don't pitch to him, but I can't say that anymore because they pitched to him," Smith said. "Now my advice is to pitch to him all the time."

Expect future Bayonne coaches to adhere more to Rule No. 1 than Rule No. 2. Not after what Rincon did Wednesday at Lamade Stadium.

There, Rincon lived a Little Leaguer's dream and walloped a walk-off home run, lifting Bayonne to a dramatic 2-1 Little League World Series opening round win against Massachusetts. Rincon's no-doubt blast into the bushes beyond center field earned Bayonne a game against Mid-Atlantic champion Pennsylvania tonight back at Lamade Stadium.

"It was special, definitely. It was my first (walk-off) one and for it to be on this stage was awesome," Rincon said. "To feel that atmosphere in this stadium and hear the fans chanting my name was amazing."

Bayonne fans have chanted Rincon's name a lot this season. Whether hitting, pitching or fielding, Rincon has burst onto the international stage, becoming one of the world's premier Little League players.

And, even with pitchers often avoiding him, Rincon still has launched eight home runs this summer, while batting over .700 with 21 RBIs. Oh yeah, Rincon also threw 4 1/3 brilliant innings Wednesday, allowing just one run, two hits and striking out eight.

Still, at regionals it was Rincon's bat which stood out. Rincon belted a home run and double the two times he was pitched to the first two games in Bristol. As a result, opponents constantly worked around him from there and walked him seven times.

So feared became Rincon that Connecticut intentionally walked him three times in the Metro final. Twice it did so while holding four and two-run leads. And in the fifth inning, it walked Rincon even though he represented the go-ahead run.

Owen Feliz made Connecticut pay dearly and hit two doubles, while driving in five runs. Still, Connecticut appeared comfortable in its decision as long as it was not Rincon who beat it.

Massachusetts took the opposite approach and it worked well the first two times Rincon batted, although a warning sign flashed the second time. There, Rincon smashed a laser one-hopper into center field but an alert throw led to a fielder's choice at second base.

Still, Massachusetts stuck to going at Rincon when he led off the sixth. The game was tied, 1-1, so it made sense since the New England champions did not want the winning run on with no outs.

Therein lies the problem. Whether pitching to him or not, opponents are rolling the dice. This time, it came up snake eyes.

Rincon drilled a 1-1 pitch and as soon as it left the bat, just about everyone knew the game had just ended. All that was left was for Rincon to take the trot of his life, flash the Superman pose and touch home while being engulfed by jubilant teammates.

"I just wanted to get on base," Rincon said. "I know my teammates that are behind me could get me in, so I all had to do was get on base and they would do the rest."

It's a team effort as Rincon well understands. Still, his five-tool ability certainly has helped put all the Bayonne pieces together. After pitching so well, Rincon moved to shortstop and combined with Feliz on one of the game's biggest plays.

Massachusetts had two runners on with one out in a tie game during the fifth inning. A rocket-like grounder screamed Rincon's way, but he stopped and immediately fired toward Feliz at second base. Feliz made a perfect turn and threw to first base, completing the inning-ending double play. An inning later, Bayonne celebrated victory.

"If Owen and Mason don't turn that double play, it's a different ball game," Smith said.

Rincon has made game-changing plays all summer; really all his baseball life. It's just now a worldwide audience is watching.

That brought out his and the team's best at both Bristol and South Williamsport. Playing in front of a packed stadium at the Metro Final, Bayonne excelled under pressure, storming back after being down 4-0 before batting and 6-2 in the fourth inning.

Rincon provided calm in the storm, coming in for relief and throwing four perfect innings which included six consecutive strikeouts as an opening act.

This time, Rincon provided the closing act. One he and Bayonne will never forget.

"In Bristol, it was loud like how it is here," Rincon said. "I know it helped me to not get too caught up in the crowd and to focus on the task that needs to be handled which is win the game and do your job as told."

Starting at /week.