Spring Hill: Will The Hosts Have The Most, Again?

Last season, the District 6 championship at the AA Rookies (ages 7-8) level went home with a team from Spring Hill Dixie League.

That tournament took place at Ernie Wever Youth Park in Brooksville, and this year Spring Hill will have an even shorter trip to this 10-team, double-elimination event.

Both Spring Hill American and Spring Hill National will host the tournament at Anderson Snow Sports Complex starting today through next Friday, weather permitting.

"It's definitely an advantage," National Manager Frank Pastorelli said. "Not only for the comfort and the kids are used to playing on that field, but we don't have to travel."

"Our kids know the fields," American Manager Manny Voda said. "So it's huge to know your home field, know your surroundings. They're young; it's huge.

"We want that banner to stay with us. We want to keep that here, keep it right in Spring Hill."

The National roster features Austin Andrews, Christopher Cesiro, Michael Dono, Brandon Frangione, Jasson Kirkpatrick, Dylan Lambert, Tyler Lauer, Thomas McTague, Colton Olasin, Frank Pastorelli Jr., Hailey Smith and Nicholas Vastano.

The American team consists of Andrew Bedard, Ra'Shaad Boyce, Harry Collins, Braden Day, Eric Forrest, Cory Fulkerson, Richard Heffner, Luke Howard, Cameron McMurray, Adam Palma, Matthew Voda and Cameron Volker. The team also has a web site: www.kidsdugout.com/americanallstars.

Opposite strengths

Both coaches think the respective teams are polar opposites in terms of their primary strengths.

In Voda's eyes, his American squad will lean heavily on the depth of its pitching staff. He pegged Forrest to start today in the opening round versus South Lake at 10 a.m.

His son Matthew, a lefty, will follow, then Day should get the ball. If a pitcher only throws two innings, he can return the next game, and in the six-inning format many managers throw three pitchers two innings apiece. Collins and Bedard could also toe the rubber.

"They throw hard, all of them," Coach Voda said. "They throw strikes and they throw hard, forcing the batter to swing the bat. At this level, that's big.

"...If teams want to eliminate us, they'll have to deal with our pitchers."

Conversely, Pastorelli believe his team's strength lies in its offense, which will be on display starting today at 12:15 p.m. against Wesley Chapel American.

The speedy Olasin will likely leadoff, trying to set the table for power hitters Pastorelli, Cesiro, Frangione and Kirkpatrick.

"Our first through seventh hitters, they could all be number four hitters on a team," Coach Pastorelli said.

One thing both teams have in common, however, is the goal of winning another district championship for Spring Hill. The top two finishers in the district will advance to the State Tournament starting June 28 in Paxton.

"We're going to state," Pastorelli said. "These kids are awesome. Kids sometimes have those off days. If we don't have one of those days, I don't see us not taking at least first or second."

2008 Spring Hill American Rookies (ages 7-8) All Stars
Name Position
Andrew Bedard P/2B
Ra'Shaad Boyce OF
Harry Collins P/1B
Braden Day P/C
Eric Forrest P/SS
Cory Fulkerson OF/3B
Richard Heffner OF
Luke Howard OF/C
Cameron McMurray OF
Adam Palma 2B/SS
Matthew Voda P/3B
Cameron Volker OF
Head coach: Manny Voda
Assistant coach: Bill Collins, Sean Day
 
2008 Spring Hill National Rookies (ages 7-8) All Stars
Name Position
Austin Andrews UTIL
Christopher Cesiro 2B/P
Michael Dono OF
Brandon Frangione SS/P
Jasson Kirkpatrick C
Dylan Lambert OF
Tyler Lauer 1B/P
Thomas McTague OF
Colton Olasin OF/P
Frank Pastorelli Jr. 3B/P
Hailey Smith C
Nicholas Vastano OF
Head coach: Frank Pastorelli
Assistant coach: ???
 
Coming attractions
WHAT: 2008 Dixie Rookies (ages 7-8) All-Stars District 6 Tournament
WHO: Bushnell, Hernando, Ridge Manor, Spring Hill American, Spring Hill National, South Lake, Sumter, Wesley Chapel American, Wesley Chapel National and Wildwood.
WHEN: June 7-13
WHERE: Anderson Snow Sports Complex.
AT STAKE: District championship and two spots in the June 28 State Tournament in Paxton.