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Hernando Today

Young All-Stars' Craving For Competition About To Be Fulfilled

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: June 7, 2008

It seems pretty clear to Hernando Youth League Manager Mark Griffith that his players have grown tired of nothing but practice.

"We've been at it for three weeks now," Griffith said. "I think the kids have gotten to the point where they need to play somebody else.

"During the regular season once the game starts there's always a level of intensity and there hasn't been that level. I think they need to play someone else to see where they're at."

Today at 12:15 p.m., the HYL AA Rookies (ages 7-8) All-Stars finally get on the field against a real opponent, taking on Wesley Chapel National in the first round of the District 6 Tournament at Anderson Snow Sports Complex.

His roster includes Matthew Armstrong, Ygenio Booker, Hunter Davis, Bailey Dowden, Zachary Ellis, Hunter Galvan, Hayden Griffith, Carson Lashley, John Schiele, Greyson Sims, Wyatt Stewart and Justin Wilson.

Coach Griffith pointed to Davis as his best all-around threat. Not only will he handle the challenging duty of shortstop, but he'll also pitch and lead the offense.

"I think Hunter Davis, he's a phenomenal player," Griffith said. "He's got a great glove, great speed. I wish we could clone him. He'll probably be our shortstop and our number one pitcher as well. He's got a great bat. He does a really nice job."

Stewart, Dowden, Booker and the left-handed Hayden Griffith are also potential pitchers, though Coach Griffith felt his staff might have a disadvantage in experience. HYL uses a pitching machine for a great deal of the regular season.

Defensively, Griffith believes his team will find strength in a speedy outfield consisting of Ellis, Booker and Galvan.

"They all run real well and can cover a lot of ground," Griffith said. "And they all have strong arms."

Griffith likes his offense as well, saying that his entire line-up features capable hitters. Assistant coach Chad Sims will handle the starting line-up, and Griffith feels he'll have a tough task.

He said Davis, Galvan and Ellis have strong bats, while the team also has "a lot of good contact hitters. I think we'll do well when it comes to batting."

Still, he thinks the performance of his pitchers as well as the catchers (Schiele, Wilson and Dowden are all listed at that position) will make or break his team's success.

"Our team motto has been to get better," Griffith said. "That's what we're trying to do every practice, we want to get better.

"I think it's a matter of league pride, maybe civic pride and you want to see how your kids compete."

2008 HYL Rookies (ages 7-8) All Stars
Name Position
Matthew Armstrong 3B/2B
Ygenio Booker OF/P
Hunter Davis SS/P
Bailey Dowden P/C
Zachary Ellis OF
Hunter Galvan OF
Hayden Griffith P/1B
Carson Lashley 2B/OF
John Schiele 3B/C/P
Greyson Sims 3B/OF
Wyatt Stewart P/1B
Justin Wilson OF/C
Head coach: Mark Griffith
Assistant coach: Tom Armstrong, Chad Sims

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com

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