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In a nail-biting finale against the Globe Bears, the Mesa Miners won the Capstone Copper Trophy during the inaugural Old Dominion Cup on Sunday, scoring an explosive 12 runs in the 10th inning after a 7-7 tie held through regulation and two extra innings.
The two-day tournament marked a historic first for Globe as it hosted the Arizona Vintage Base Ball League’s championship at Central Field during Globe-Miami’s 9th Annual Old Dominion Days festival.
Vintage baseball teams across Arizona—playing by 1860s rules and dressed in authentic period uniforms—traveled to Globe to play for the honor, with the Globe Bears proudly representing the host city as they completed their first season in the league.
The Mesa Miners, a veteran team with eight years under their belt, credited their victory to team chemistry.
“We’re just great friends on and off the field,” says team captain Scotty Shaw. “We bring passion and have alot of fun; it makes all the difference.”
Photo by Yvette Vargas
The Globe Bears earned their spot against the Mesa Miners by edging out the Gilbert-based Higley Haymakers—league champions for the past two years—4-3 in a tense semifinal.
“It was all defense,” says Globe Bears captain Jonathon Sukosky. “It came down to a diving catch for the 21st out. It doesn’t get closer than that.”
“How romantic would it be for Globe to win it all in the first year of the Old Dominion Cup?” Sukosky considered just before the championship match.
Although the Globe Bears did not win this year’s championship, their journey captured the spirit of a tournament that made history alongside Central Field—a Globe ballpark with roots dating back to the 1890s and nationally recognized last year with the Pioneer Athletics Field of Excellence Award.
The Capstone Copper Trophy, originally awarded in Chicago in 1946 by Charles Bidwell, was repurposed for the Old Dominion Cup, with Capstone Copper proudly serving as the event’s signature sponsor.
The league’s championship tournament was formalized this year by Globe Miami Times, host and promoter of the 9th Annual Old Dominion Days.
“The strong connection between mining and baseball dates back to the 1800s,” says Linda Gross, Globe Miami Times publisher and event host. “The marriage of the AVBBL Tournament with Globe-Miami’s copper mining history was a home run for attendees.”
For a gallery of images, from the Tournament and Old Dominion Days events see:OldDominionDays Facebook OR GlobeMiamiTimes Facebook
Jenn Walker began writing for Globe Miami Times in 2012 and has been a contributor ever since. Her work has also appeared in Submerge Magazine, Sacramento Press, Sacramento News & Review and California Health Report. She currently teaches Honors English at High Desert Middle School and mentors Globe School District’s robotics team.
