The Jewish Link and Drink Up would like to recognize 12-year-old Benji Shiner as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The sixth grader at Yavneh Academy led his team, Grand & Essex, to victory in this summer’s 4/5 grade BBO/TBO championship game. When asked about Shiner, BBO Comissioner Rabbi Avi Rosalimsky told The Jewish Link “Besides for his strong pitching, stellar defense and powerful hitting, what stands out most about Benji is his sweet and calm demeanor when on the baseball field. A true leader on the diamond, who isn’t always heard, but whose presence is always felt.”

Benji, mazel tov on the championship. Who is your role model and why?

My role model is Anthony Rizzo from the Cubs. Rizzo is the team captain, a great hitter and a first baseman.

What is your favorite sport?

Baseball. I love playing and watching. I am the starting pitcher, then switch to short stop and batted fourth in the line-up this past season on BBO/TBO. My team won the championship. My favorite professional teams are the Cubs and Mets and I usually watch Mets Fast Forward on DVR to see last night’s game.

What is your greatest sports accomplishment?

Pitching a complete inning with only three pitches.

What is your earliest sports memory?

Playing T-ball at Bergenfield PAL.

What is your weirdest sports memory?

Once, when I was practicing pitching, the catcher threw the ball back to me. I wasn’t watching and the ball hit me right in the forehead.

What is your favorite sports memory?

When the Cubs won the world series.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?

Hanging out with my friends.

What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?

I have been able to meet so many kids from different schools from playing sports.

The Drink Up Jewish Link Sportstar of the Week will receive a 5% discount on their next order @Drink Up, order with https://bit.ly/321HONC or message Steve Gutlove 201 578 7425. Please send nominees for an upcoming Drink Up Jewish Link Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].