Not necessarily funny ha-ha, but for San Benito County 15
year-old Babe Ruth League All-Star manager Scott Flaherty, it was
funny how things turned out at season’s end.
Not necessarily funny ha-ha, but for San Benito County 15 year-old Babe Ruth League All-Star manager Scott Flaherty, it was funny how things turned out at season’s end. Flaherty, who had crafted an Indians team for three years counting this year’s draft, had his team taken away from him when the league decided to dismantle one team to help fill out two teams in the league which weren’t going to field enough players.
“I had built that team with the players I wanted,” said Flaherty, who assisted on the Royals this season. “We were the last expansion team, so we had to go. That’s what makes coaching this All-Star team so special. It means a lot to me, especially coaching my son, Brendon as we finish out his Babe Ruth career. I’ll be surprised if we don’t win this tournament.”
Flaherty and his 15 15 year-old stars won’t have to travel far for this year’s District 1 Babe Ruth All-Stars Tournament as in the recent past. For the first time in an estimated five or six years, Hollister will play host to a Babe Ruth All-Stars tournament at any level. The five-team tourney begins Saturday at Vets Park.
The SBC 15’s open up with a familiar foe – Manteca – on Saturday at 1 p.m. A win and they are off until Tuesday at 6 p.m. A loss and it’s right back on Sunday for a 1 p.m elimination game.
“I really want to beat Manteca,” said 15 y-o star Anthony Vasquez. “They eliminated us the last two years. We should get by this tournament. Everything looks good.”
“We have good hitting and pitching,” said teammate Kyle Ferguson. “We’re strong at any position.”
Versatility could be as much of a strength as anything for Flaherty’s 15’s, most of whom were on the Hollister High freshmen team which had a successful season. A few were even on the Baler junior varsity team.
“We have 15 players who are interchangeable,” said Flaherty. “Anybody can play any position, almost. And we’re strong in hitting. And defensively, we have no holes.”
Pitching could also be listed as a strength for the 15 stars.
“I have seven pitchers who have a lot of experience pitching,” said Flaherty, who had Baler varsity assistant Bryan Humphreys work with his pitching staff at a practice Tuesday night.
In no particular order, Flaherty listed his top five – Vasquez, Karson Klauer, Ferguson, James Macfarlane and Doug Conte. Klauer was tabbed the Most Valuable 15 year-old in the league. Dean Wilkins, a left-hander with a good curveball, is expected to be one of the top relievers on the team.
“Pitching is going to be key,” said Flaherty.
Around the infield, Flaherty favors Klauer at shortstop when he isn’t pitching, Brendon Flaherty at second base, Vasquez at first base and Macfarlane at third base. Anthony Bengivengo is fairly well set behind the plate with Macfarlane as first backup. Other infielders include Josh Torrise, Jimmy Souza, and Conte.
The outfield has the speedy Jeffrey Weltz roaming center field with Wilkins and Travis Ross, along with Geno Fata, Jeremy Bosio and Ryan McFall.
“The hard part will be finding time for everyone to get some playing time,” said Scott Flaherty. “But, we have guys who will take themselves out so other kids can play. These guys all want to win.”
Flaherty tabs Klauer and Vasquez as his leaders.
“I really like Vasquez’ attitude,” said Flaherty. “He’s always ready to play. He and Klauer do a good job of picking up the other players on the team. Karson is like having a coach on the field. He can run an infield for me. I don’t have to position anybody on the infield.”
Flaherty is assisted by Tim Ferguson and Aaron Pritchard.
-In Saturday’s other game, Modesto meets Tracy at 10 a.m. The winner faces Ripon on Sunday at 10 a.m. Ripon drew the bye. The tourney runs through July 3 with the title game scheduled for 6 p.m.
