A Minor Dynasty?

Over the years Spring Hill Dixie has built itself into one of the premier leagues in the area; seemingly always in contention for a district title at any all-stars age level.

One level in particular has produced a tremendous amount of success: AAA Minors (ages 9-10).

Spring Hill has walked away from its district tournament as champion in five of the past six years. The one exception came in 2005, when Spring Hill National finished third in the district yet still qualified for states and captured the league's lone state championship.

Both Spring Hill American and Spring Hill National will carry that legacy into this year's District 6 Tournament, which begins today at Kenny Dixon Sports Complex in Bushnell.

Spring Hill American takes on Ridge Manor at noon, while Spring Hill National battles South Lake at 2 p.m.

The American roster features Dante Hamilton, Brett Krieger, Jake Murray, Matt Myers, Devon Nicolini, Joshua Penney, Liam Radecki, Marianne Sparacia, Thomas Sorrentino, Zachary Sorrentino, Michael Tinari and Matt Warner.

The National roster consists of Brandon Baker, James Beck, Michael Cooper, Joey Del Gatto, J.T. Hrobuchak, David Jones, Luke Laferty, Jacob Mannino, Justin Rubeo, Bodhi Sbashnig, Mason Stacy and Joseph Suchan.

Strong defense

American Manager Al Sorrentino and National Manager John Hrobuchak both pointed to defense as their team's strength.

"We've got some really smaller, fast kids in the outfield who can catch the ball really well," Sorrentino said. "The infield defense is really good. Defensively I think we're overall pretty strong.

"Our pitchers, I don't think anyone is going to mow you down by striking you out, but when the ball is put in play I think we can make outs."

"We're strong up the middle," Hrobuchak said. "We're solid catching; we're 4-5 deep in catching. We have a strong infield all the way around. Pretty much all of our team is very strong."

Offensively, Sorrentino feels his line-up has players with an even combination of speed and power. He tabbed Hamilton and Myers as his probable 1-2 hitters, while Nicolini and Penney provide power in the middle.

Hrobuchak thinks his team has more speed than pop, especially the first five hitters.

"We've got a couple power hitters at the top but we're more contact, line drive, put the ball in play," Hrobuchak said. "Everyone on the team except for one or two kids has speed. The other team on the other side (American) has more power, but we've got more speed."

He also felt his players would benefit from the amount of game action they have seen both in this forum and others.

"The experience from the past year, it's pretty much the same kids, kids with a lot of experience," Hrobuchak said. "These kids play a lot of travel ball. They have a lot of big-game experience. They're used to the pitching they're going to see."

However, each coach agreed it would all come down to whether his team made plays, practically echoing one another's sentiments.

"I think our defense needs to stay solid like it's looked in practice," Sorrentino said. "We're not going to strike anyone out in great numbers, so when the ball is in play we need to make outs. If we do that, I think we'll be OK."

"We need to put the ball in play," Hrobuchak said. "We need to use our team speed on the bases, use the defense to back up the pitcher. We've got to make plays out in the field. If we make the routine plays, I think we'll be OK."

2008 Spring Hill American AAA Minors (ages 9-10) All Stars
Name Position
Dante Hamilton P/C/INF
Brett Krieger OF
Jake Murray OF
Matt Myers INF/P
Devon Nicolini P/1B
Joshua Penney P/3B/OF
Liam Radecki OF
Marianne Sparacia INF/OF
Thomas Sorrentino 1B/P
Zachary Sorrentino INF/OF
Michael Tinari C/OF
Matt Warner P/C/INF
Head coach: Al Sorrentino
Assistant coach: Jeff Hamilton, Gary Myers

2008 Spring Hill National AAA Minors (ages 9-10) All Stars
Name Position
Brandon Baker 1B/P
James Beck P/2B
Michael Cooper 1B/P
Joey Del Gatto LF/2B
J.T. Hrobuchak C/P
David Jones OF
Luke Laferty P/3B
Jacob Mannino CF/P
Justin Rubeo OF
Bodhi Sbashnig SS/C
Mason Stacy SS/P
Joseph Suchan OF
Head coach: John Hrobuchak
Assistant coach: Scott Cooper, Steve Del Gatto

Coming attractions
WHAT: 2008 Dixie AAA Minors (ages 9-10) All-Stars District 6 Tournament
WHO: Bushnell, Hernando, Oak Griner, Ridge Manor, San Antonio, Spring Hill American, Spring Hill National, South Lake, Sumter, Wesley Chapel and Wildwood.
WHEN: June 14-21
WHERE: Kenny Dixon Sports Complex in Bushnell.
AT STAKE: District championship and two spots in the July 5 State Tournament in East Lakeland.
DIRECTIONS: Take Interstate 75 north to exit for State Road 48. Head east on State Road 48, the park will come up on the right.