Youth All-Star baseball teams don’t get much practice time
before they have to go to battle against unfamiliar opponents. San
Benito County Babe Ruth League 13 year-old All-Stars are doing the
best they can to learn the nuances of one another before Saturday’s
opening game in the District 1 Tournament against Ripon at Bel
Passi Field in Modesto.
Youth All-Star baseball teams don’t get much practice time before they have to go to battle against unfamiliar opponents. San Benito County Babe Ruth League 13 year-old All-Stars are doing the best they can to learn the nuances of one another before Saturday’s opening game in the District 1 Tournament against Ripon at Bel Passi Field in Modesto. First pitch is 3 p.m. The seven-team double-elimination tourney runs through July 5.
One player, in particular, feels there is work to do.
“The guys aren’t communicating in the outfield,” said pitcher/shortstop Ronnie Fhurong. “We have to start playing together.”
Head coach for the SBC 13’s is Joey Escamilla, who understands Fhurong’s concerns.
“We have to learn what each other does,” said Escamilla. “That’s the hardest thing to do is get players who haven’t played with each other to play together. We’ve been working hard on relay plays and gapper drills the past two days.”
Escamilla, though, is very happy with the quality of his roster of 14.
“We’re strong in all areas,” said Escamilla. “Our defense is dialed in and we have great speed in the outfield.”
Fhurong and Nick Huston are the top two pitchers on the team.
“We might pitch one three innings and the other four,” said Escamilla.
The third pitcher is Nathan Hopkins, then Escamilla has a number of arms he can go to for an inning or two.
Escamilla is on record about playing time.
“Everyone is going to play at least three innings,” said Escamilla. “This is supposed to be fun. These kids are all All-Stars. They know what to do and they all can play.”
Escamilla has a tentative starting lineup: Catcher-Brett Pirtle; First base-Steven Marquez; Second base-Joey Escamilla Jr.; Shortstop-Fhurong when he’s not pitching; Third base-Nick Huston when he’s not pitching; Left field- Roman Miranda; Center field-Nathan Hopkins; Right field-Daniel Ayala.
Escamilla likes the speed of James Scaglione in the outfield and as a pinch-runner. Steven Ruvalcaba, Sean Perry and Aaron Cardenas will backup in the outfield, while Wade Jacobson (first base) and Jake Torrise (catcher) will backup those respective positions.
Should the SBC 13’s and perennial favorite and host Bel Passi each win their games Saturday, they will meet Sunday at 3 p.m.
“That’s what I’m planning for,” said Escamilla, who has scouted the park and its quirks the past few days. “Bel Passi is the team to beat.”
