While the opening of the 2004 San Benito Babe Ruth season brings
some surprises and changes, many things remain the same.
While the opening of the 2004 San Benito Babe Ruth season brings some surprises and changes, many things remain the same.
Last year’s powerhouse Cubs and White Sox teams have again shown dominance early in the season and could be the teams to beat. But teams like the Marlins, A’s and Yankees may have something to say about that.
The eight teams can have up to 15 players ages 13-15 on their team. The players vie for the chance to compete in their age group on the travelling All-Star teams at the end of the season.
The Cubs and White Sox each have one loss this year. Cubs’ coach Orlando Quintana attributes a strong draft and a solid overall lineup to his team’s success.
Roman Miranda, 14, returns in center field to give the Cubs good speed. In left, Devin Quintana, 13, and Austin Schmidt, 14, rotate to give the Cubs more speed and quickness.
“For the teams that will have high school players coming back, the season really starts once those players join the ball team,” Quintana said.
Drew Quintana, who is on the varsity team this year, was one of those players who made a big impact last year for the Cubs after coming from the high school season.
The Marlins defeated the Cubs 3-0 Tuesday, and coach Naz Martinez said he expects that game to be the turning point in his team’s season.
“We are really balanced, I don’t think anyone will be running away with it.”
The Cubs hit the ball hard in the game, but the Marlins turned a couple double plays. One was by 13-year-old center fielder Marcus Synegal and the other was turned by third baseman Derick Polermo.
The White Sox finished with the second best record in the league last season and are poised to make another run this year.
The A’s, last season’s runner-ups, are 4-2 after their 6-5 victory over the Giants on Wednesday. Their only two losses are to the White Sox and Cubs. Manager Steve Ferranti is known for his aggressiveness, doing the unexpected things to give teams fits.
“We’re not going to win every game.” Ferranti said. “I haven’t pitched kids more than three innings this season. Usually we use three or four pitchers per game.”
The Rockies have started off 0-5 this year but may be able to turn it around once they get their three players from the high school team. Francisco Anaya, from the San Benito JV squad, and freshmen players Kevin Madeiros and Taylor Griffith are expected to join the team once their high school season ends in the middle of the month.
“Once we get high school players back, it will be a totally different team,” said coach Robert Hopkins, who also coaches the San Benito High freshman team. “I know we will turn it around. I have no doubt about it.”
Many of the players don’t know some of the finer points of the game yet, Hopkins said.
“We are just trying to build a team and give them a good fundamentally baseball knowledge to get them ready for the high school,” Hopkins said. “If you look back over the teams that have finished first and second the last few years, most haven’t won a championship. It’s the teams that come together after the high school season that have done well.”
The Royals also haven’t won any games yet. With seven 13-year-old players, the team looks to build for the future.
“It is a tough start for these kids,” said manager Jeff Valenzuela. “At this age, they take everything a lot more seriously. There is a lot of peer pressure to do well. They have a really good attitude and have good work ethics. We can turn it around. They will put up a fight the rest of season.”
The Giants (2-4) finished last season with the second worst record but may be able to turn it around this year with the help of San Benito High freshman David Disalvo and Palma’s Aaron Schulman and Nick Huston.
The Yankees (3-2) are guided by first-year coach Rick Czernek, who moved to Hollister from Salinas last June. He helped coach the Hollister Hawks 13U travel team. And many of the players are either now playing on the A’s or Yankees.
“I though the talent pool would be a lot better in Babe Ruth,” Czernek said. “We had the choice between the Hawks and Babe Ruth. Here you see a lot of weaknesses as opposed to the travel team. I expected it to be a little more challenging.”
Czernek said the defining games will be this weekend when his team plays the White Sox three times. For the first few games, he has been trying to get a lineup together, and he said he finally may have found it.
Many of the 14- and 15-year-olds have stepped up and taken leadership rolls on the team.
Cubs
Strengths
The Cubs are solid all round in both their pitching and hitting. The have played good defense as well.
Weaknesses
Three 13-year-olds start and play most of the games.
Key players
The Cubs are led by 13-year-olds Freddy Larios at first and second baseman Anthony Macadaeg, who also can pitch.
The 15-year-olds are Anthony Mendoza, Isaiah Zamorez and new player David Jacquez. Sean Perry, 14, is another anchor.
White Sox
Strengths
The White Sox have been led by a strong pitching core of Pat Fancher and Ryan Eaton. The team also has some hitters like Tony Casada, Steven Avila and Riley Jordan.
The Sox have several good experienced 14- and 15-year-olds.
Weaknesses
The pitching depth beyond the top two pitchers is a little weak, especially since they can pitch only seven innings a week. The return of San Benito player Brett Pirtle should help to solidify the pitching lineup.
Key players
Dane Lamanna, 13, usually provides a spark at the top of the lineup.
Rockies
Strengths
A solid infield has kept the Rockies in games this year.
Weaknesses
Several innings have been kept alive as the result of errors. Many of the players on the team came from the disbanded Expos team and are learning to play with each other. The Rockies have just three returning players
Key players
Francisco Anaya, Kevin Madeiros, Taylor Griffith
Marlins
Strengths
The Marlins have a good group of players who are easy to coach, said Manager Naz Martinez. The team showed some mental toughness to beat the Cubs on Tuesday. Two of the four victories this season have been after rallying from behind.
Weaknesses
The team is a fairly young team and is missing three players from the freshmen team. The Marlins drafted five 13-year-olds this year.
Key players
Joey Covey, 15, has pitched two seven-inning games and won both. Joey Escamilla and Josh Huaracha are good rounded players.
Giants
Strengths
The team has dedication from its 13-year-olds and will be gaining three high school prospects once the season ends.
Weaknesses
Many of the players have never played together before, including some of the 14- and 15-year-olds.
Key players
Jacob Eichhorn, 13, is a pitcher and infielder and has a solid bat, and Andy Langone, 13, has also shown promise.
Yankees
Strengths
The team plays a solid defense and is good running the bases.
Weaknesses
The Yankees are young with eight 13-year-olds. The team is a weak in pitching and will not overpower teams. Errors have also hurt the team this year. And there are no high school players
Key players
Pitcher Steven Cabral, Russell Czernek, Alfonso Reyes, Lance Villasenor. Leadership provided by 15-year-olds Kevin Durham at third base and Alex Hogeman at shortstop.
A’s
Strengths
The A’s have versatility with a lot of players who can play different positions. The team should be strengthened when freshman Kyle Corotto joins the team.
Weaknesses
The team is looking for a little more experience, and the players are learning to play with each other.
Key players
The A’s have two southpaws in Bret Furtado and Anthony Alvarez, who both helped the Little League Giants to the championship game last year. Other 13-year-old pitching prodigies are Devin Jimenez and Justin Terrill. Tyler Smith, 15, is solid at catcher, and Anthony Trefilo has a good bat and plays first base. But an arm injury limits him from pitching. Matt Hamilton, 14, plays many different spots, pitches and bats cleanup.
Royals
Strengths
The team has kept a positive attitude and should be good in the years to come. The team started the season playing some good ball, but it has dropped off.
Weaknesses
The Royals have a young team and don’t have any pitchers returning from last year.
Key players
Ian Sanchez pitches and plays third, Jared Burchard can play multiple position and Danny Murrphy is a solid 14-year-old.
