TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Hernando Seeks to End Drought

ADVERTISEMENT

By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: June 26, 2008

It's been a while since Brooksville-based Hernando Youth League captured the Senior Boys (14-year-old) District 6 title.

Maybe since gasoline was less than $2 a gallon.

More likely since Gerald Johnson's 2001 HYL team pulled off a 4-1 run at the Anderson Snow Sports Complex in Spring Hill.

Since then, HYL has posted an under .500 mark in this age group, going 12-14.

In 2002-03, back-to-back HYL squads finished as district runners-up.

But since that point, the pickings have been slim. HYL has gone 1-2, 1-2, 0-2 and 1-2 across the past four summers.

Despite not having a 13-year-old All-Star squad in 2007, Hernando's current skipper, Vernon "Bubba" Patterson, believes he can right the ship.

Patterson, who last guided the HYL American AAA Majors (ages 11-12) to a 2-3 mark in 2005, enters tonight's second-round game against the winner of Oak Griner/Ridge Manor with one goal -- district champion.

"Overall, we've been practicing for about three weeks," said Patterson. "What I like about most is this team's commitment to working hard. They run out every ground out, every pop up.

"To me, baseball is mostly a mental game," he added. "That's what we stress. You've got to picture what you're doing before you do it."

The Brooksville All-Star squad features: P/C Tyler Bammert, OF Brandon Bell, SS/P Matthew Brady, OF Blaine Day, UTIL/INF Kyle Devary, 3B Jacob Faulkingham, 1B David Gaustad, 2B Brandon Gemmiti, OF Kyle Jensen, OF T.J. Patrick, OF/P Dalton Patterson, P/C/OF Cody Singer and P/OF Matt Singer.

Patterson will be assisted by ex-Leopard Mike Devary and Bryan Faulkingham.

No bash brothers

Offensively, Patterson says his team's strength is not in its ability to go yard.

"This isn't a home-run hitting team," he described. "We're more of a contact team. A lot of people stress batting average. Like hitting .300. I stress getting on base. We've got some speed to run the bases."

If HYL is forced to play "small ball" look for Singer, Gemmiti and Bell "who all handle the bat well."

Defensively, look for Brady or Gemmiti to split time at shortstop. Same for Bammert or Cody Singer behind the dish. Ideally, when Bammert throws Singer will catch and vice-a-versa.

In the arms race, Patterson believes he has five pitchers who can consistently throw strikes including: Bammert, Brady, Cody Singer, Matt Singer and his son, Dalton Patterson.

The lone lefty on the staff maybe the county's finest 14-year-old athlete -- Cody Singer.

Forecast

What does the first-round bye accomplish for HYL?

"Believe me, I think it's a big advantage," said Patterson. "There's not been too many times lately that a Hernando team has drawn an opening-round bye. We'll be able to see everybody the first day and find out who can hit and who can pitch. That's a huge plus.

"We think the bye is great," he added. "And it's one less game for our pitchers. Pitching at any level is essential. With the bye, they've got less innings to work."

And the first game?

"You win the first game and it's definitely a confidence builder," replied Patterson. "Then you can take that momentum and start running downhill. Once you do that, there's no stopping."

What's the key?

"As long as the kids give 100 percent and leave it on the field, that's all the coaches ask," Patterson said. "We've been watching the College World Series and those games are never over, there are too many comebacks.

"I'm proud of each and every one of our kids whether we win or lose," he added. "Baseball and sports is all about life lessons."

2008 Hernando 14s Roster
Name Position(s)
Tyler Bammert P/C
Brandon Bell OF
Matthew Brady SS/P
Blaine Day OF
Kyle Devary UTIL/INF
Jacob Faulkingham 3B
David Gaustad 1B
Brandon Gemmiti 2B
Kyle Jensen OF
T.J. Patrick OF
Dalton Patterson OF/P
Cody Singer P/C/OF
Matt Singer P/OF
Head Coach - Vernon "Bubba" Patterson.
Assistant Coaches - Mike Devary, Bryan Faulkingham.

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT