Pune Boys and Nashik Girls Claim Titles at State-Level Under-19 School Baseball Championship in Safale
Palghar/Pune, 5th January 2026: The State-Level Under-19 School Baseball Championship, hosted at Safale in Palghar district, concluded on a high note with Pune division emerging champions in the boys’ category and Nashik division securing the girls’ title. The three-day tournament was held from December 26 to 28 at the Dr Pandurang Vaman Amrute Educational Institution, drawing teams from across Maharashtra.
The championship witnessed competitive matches among teams representing Mumbai, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur, Kolhapur, Pune, Latur and Amravati, reflecting the growing popularity and standard of school-level baseball in the state.
The tournament was formally inaugurated in the presence of Vinayak Narale, Additional Superintendent of Police, Palghar. Other dignitaries included Khantilal Doshi, Executive President of the Amrute Education Society; Advocate Deepak Bhate, General Secretary; Madhumati Kulkarni, Principal; and Suchita Patil, Headmistress. The guests encouraged the participants and underlined the importance of sports in fostering discipline, teamwork and leadership among students.
Palghar District Collector Dr Indu Rani Jakhad congratulated the organisers for the smooth and successful conduct of the championship. In her message, she said that state-level competitions provide young athletes—both from rural and urban backgrounds—with an essential platform to display their abilities and develop through healthy competition and sportsmanship.
District Sports Officer Suhas Vanmane described the event as a proud moment for Palghar district, noting that such a large-scale state-level baseball championship was organised in the district for the first time. He credited the success of the tournament to the collective efforts of organisers, referees, coaches, volunteers, sports associations and players. Vanmane added that similar events would help nurture talent capable of representing Maharashtra at national-level competitions.
Final Standings
Under-19 Boys
Champions: Pune Division
Runners-up: Kolhapur Division
Third Place: Nashik Division
Fourth Place: Mumbai Division
Under-19 Girls
Champions: Nashik Division
Runners-up: Nagpur Division
Third Place: Amravati Division
Fourth Place: Kolhapur Division
The prize distribution ceremony was attended by Suhas Vanmane, District Sports Officer; Indrajit Nitmavar, Vice-President of the Maharashtra State Baseball Association; Ashok Sarode, Head of the Technical Committee; Pritish Patil, State Coordinator; along with several other officials and educationists. Winning and runner-up teams were felicitated with trophies and medals.
The championship also functioned as a selection trial for the Maharashtra Under-19 boys’ and girls’ baseball teams, with several promising players earning selection based on their performances.
The successful hosting of the event received widespread appreciation, with sports officials expressing hope that Palghar district will continue to host such state-level tournaments to strengthen grassroots sports development.
