Hollister players head to Arizona
They’ve only been together for four months, but they’re beating
teams that have been together for much four years.
Hollister players head to Arizona
They’ve only been together for four months, but they’re beating teams that have been together for much four years.
Next Level, the under 13 travel baseball team from Hollister, qualified to compete at the Winter Nationals in Arizona Dec. 27 courtesy of their fourth-place finish at the Hardtke World of Baseball tournament in September and their victory in the Bats and Ghouls tournament, which took place in Modesto in October.
“I’m extremely proud of this team,” said Head Coach Angel Rueda. “A lot of people don’t realize that most of the players on the teams that they are going up against have been playing together since they were 8 or 9. That’s a long time. This league also follows Major League Baseball rules. For the players to pick up on those rules and play this well is extremely impressive. When we competed in our second tournament we were only together three-and-a-half weeks.”
The players on the team include: Adrian Medina, Ray Rueda, Steven Hernandez, Angel Robles, Geronimo Sevilla, Sergio Cosio, Matt Vallejo, Kellen O’Laughlin, Eddie Munoz, Adrian Vasquez and Kevin Salvas.
While the team is most excited about the opportunity to compete at the end of the month in Arizona, the biggest issue is raising enough money to make the trip.
“We’ll get there one way or the other,” Rueda said. “We are looking for sponsors and donations to help the kids get to Arizona.”
In its efforts to raise money for the trip the team has opened an account with the Community Foundation of San Benito County. To make a donation, make checks payable to Next Level Baseball, c/o Community Foundation for San Benito County, 719 San Benito St., Ste. G, Hollister, CA 95023
