It’s twice as nice
for Shortie

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

For Esteban "Shortie" Meletiche, two is always better than one.
The 17-year-old infielder recently won his second baseball championship this year. The triumph came on July 24 when the Olney Redbirds beat Ivy League, 12-9, in the final showdown of the three-game championship series of the Philadelphia American Legion league.
"Shortie is fantastic. He’s a really talented kid," said Redbirds coach Jose Bracero. "The entire team is great. We gave it our all, and I think we had an excellent year."
Two months prior to the summer league victory, Meletiche stood tall in the winners’ circle with his fellow Pioneers, after Frankford High School defeated Central, 7-5, for the Public League championship on May 29.
"Winning two championships this year was incredibly exciting," said Meletiche. "It was a lot of fun and a great experience."
Meletiche’s most recent success had some additional excitement, though, because he was able to enjoy the taste of victory alongside his older brother.
"I love playing Legion ball. It’s a good thing to do," said Meletiche. "You learn more baseball and can practice more. And I get to play with my brother."
They apparently make a good team.
"They’re both really good kids," said Bracero. "They work very well together. They have a great chemistry. They’ve been playing together their whole lives, so they developed this chemistry where they know each other’s game."
The older of the two, 18-year-old Enrique, plays third base, while Esteban spends most of his time at shortstop. Both brothers are also regulars on the hill.
"It’s fun. I like playing with my brother," said Esteban. "We talk on the field about whatever situation is happening at the time and what we should do. He’s a good player. I’ll give him tips if he’s slowing down or messing up. I try to teach him, and he teaches me too, so it works for us."
The Meletiche family presence on the baseball field is in no way limited to Esteban and Enrique. The sport is a family affair for the Juniata residents.
"My family inspires me to play my best," said Esteban. "My parents come to every game. They support me a lot. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be playing baseball right now."
And for the first time since winter, Esteban won’t be playing baseball . . . at least temporarily. After their championship win qualified the Redbirds to take part in the American Legion Region 3 Tournament, they lost to the Warminster Warriors, 14-6, in the first round of the competition on July 29. Two days later they lost, 8-3, to Narberth, knocking them out of the two-game elimination tournament and ending their season with an overall 19-9 record.
"I’m going to have a little break now," said Esteban. "But even though I’m not in any other leagues or anything, I know I’ll still be playing a lot. I’ll be practicing and running.
"If I could play every day, I would play every day," he added. "It’s the best thing. Baseball to me is life. It’s the best." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com