Babe Ruth 15-year-olds will open District 1 play tonight, look
to qualify to state
When the San Benito Babe Ruth 15-year-olds open the District 1
State Qualifier Tournament Friday night in Hollister, one would
think the usual mixture of pressure and nerves will be present.
And maybe they will.
Babe Ruth 15-year-olds will open District 1 play tonight, look to qualify to state
When the San Benito Babe Ruth 15-year-olds open the District 1 State Qualifier Tournament Friday night in Hollister, one would think the usual mixture of pressure and nerves will be present.
And maybe they will.
After all, San Benito is coming off one of its better postseasons in recent memory. Last year as 14-year-olds, the team marched through District 1, cruised through the state ranks and didn’t finish its all-star season until it reached the Pacific Southwest Regional Tournament in Palo Alto, where it played teams from Guam and Arizona, among others.
Falling just one tournament short of reaching the World Series, though, expectations are naturally raised as a result for this year’s 15-year-old squad. But instead of letting last year’s success turn into this year’s butterflies, San Benito plans on using its previous run to regionals to its advantage.
“I think it will help us get farther,” catcher Steven Hernandez said. “Last year everyone thought we should have gotten farther. But now it will help us get back to regionals.”
“It relieves the pressure. Since we’ve already been there, we know how to play and we understand the conditions. It’s not anything new to us.”
Been there. Done that.
Tonight, San Benito will take its first step when it opens the District 1 State Qualifier Tournament against Tracy at Veterans Memorial Park in Hollister.
First pitch is at 8 p.m.
A victory would advance San Benito to Saturday’s second round, where it would face off against Manteca at 4 p.m., considered to be perhaps the local 15-year-olds’ biggest competition in District 1.
But with nine returning players from last season’s team that won district with considerable ease – it went 4-0 and outscored its opponents by a 40-3 margin – coupled with the Babe Ruth program’s district sweep last year, San Benito remains the team to beat.
“Our goal is to get back to regionals,” San Benito manager Joe Ocampo said. “We have to get through district and state, but our goal is to get back to regionals.
“I think we’re ready.”
Ocampo feels his team is stronger this season, both mentally and physically, even though the lineup card very much resembles that of last year. Possessing players who can contribute at multiple positions – he has 11 different infielders, six outfielders, two catchers and eight arms for the mound – Ocampo’s biggest obstacle may just being able to find a spot for everyone.
“It’s a good feeling,” he said. “I’ve got a good crew.
“And we have a good combination of speed and power.”
Having already claimed the D-1 title at this point last year, San Benito has been practicing for three weeks now as well. Due to the late start of the 15-year-old District 1 tournament, though, Ocampo limited practices to just three a week as a result, which he says has led to more motivated sessions.
“It’s a little bit different, but they know how to play baseball,” he said. “I think it’s gonna be a positive.”
With few weaknesses – “I hate to sound like we’re this and that, but I don’t think this team has any weaknesses,” Ocampo said – the San Benito 15-year-olds are “gelling” with the extended time for practice. The one knock may be defense, Hernandez said, but the team’s offense and pitching staff is solid enough to make up the difference.
“And it’s our relationship,” Hernandez added. “Everyone here is good friends. We get along real well – no arguments. That helps us.”
When the regular season started several months ago, the San Benito 15-year-olds were still talking about what happened last year, and were already thinking about this year – advancing to the state tournament in Dinuba, and maybe even a return trip to regionals in Rohnert Park.
While pressure and nerves may be present at tonight’s District 1 kick-off, San Benito certainly isn’t showing it.
“It probably won’t really affect us because we’re ready for it,” shortstop Adrian Medina said. “We’ve been talking about it since the beginning of the season.
“I think we’re gonna be ready. With what happened last year, we want to do better.”
Central California State Qualifying Tournament
San Benito Babe Ruth 15s
Jacob Cabral, Tanner Carrillo-Zazueta, Sergio Cosio, Cody Gessell, Steven Hernandez, Adrian Medina, Mark Nakata, Anthony Ocampo, Dustin Rovella, Marcus Sabatte, Christopher Schlegel, Nick Stephens and Daniel Guerrero. Manager Joe Ocampo.
Next: San Benito will play Tracy Friday, July 10, in Hollister at 8 p.m.
