VALDOSTA —
The 8-year-old All-Star team from the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority’s youth league is preparing to compete in the Dizzy Dean Baseball state tournament this week.
The 8-year-old coach-pitch state baseball tournament begins on Thursday at Freedom Park in Valdosta, and will last until July 10.
“I think the boys are ready,” said Dan Kerrigan, the head coach of the Valdosta team. “I’m pleased with these players, and I’m pleased with our coaching staff.”
The 8-year-old All-Star team from Valdosta calls itself the Blazers, in honor of Valdosta State. Kerrigan played baseball at VSU in the late 1990s.
The members of the Blazers are: Matt Pearson, Mason Steel, Labryn Depta, Cash Phillips, Wyatt Crosby, Nate Bowman, Lamonte Lindon, Ryan Flint, Colson Moody, Joel Michael Presley, Kyler Oathout and Daniel Kerrigan. The players were chosen by the coaches from the VLPRA’s 8-under coach-pitch league.
The Blazers’ coach says the team has improved since it began practicing last month.
“I think we’ve made great progress,” Coach Kerrigan said. “We got back to the fundamentals early, and I think that’s always a great place to start. No one’s ever too seasoned to not (improve their) fundamentals. We’re now starting to work on building team unity and these players being able to work together. I’m very pleased with our progress, and I feel like we’re on track to be successful.”
“You can tell that the boys really enjoy the game, you can tell the coaches really enjoy the game and that the parents really love their boys, because they’re out here to support them,” he added. “I think they’ve all really meshed well. You’re taking boys from different teams, you’re putting them together and the one thing they understood from Day 1 is we’re now (one team). I think they’ve adapted well to the All-Star mentality, where they’ve got to mesh and jell together to be successful.”
The Blazers have already qualified for the Dizzy Dean World Series, which will be held later this month in Southaven, Miss. But the team still wants to have a strong showing in the state tournament before heading to Mississippi.
“We want to earn that trip,” Kerrigan said.
Kerrigan believes he has a lineup filled with boys who can hit the ball.
“I actually think (our hitting) is a strength,” he said. “I think from the top to the bottom of the lineup, we can put the barrel on the ball. (We want to) do that on a consistent basis. The things we look to do are hit the ball hard and hit it where it’s pitched and drive the baseball. I think we’ve done that quite well.”
Kerrigan thinks that defense will be very important in the state tournament.
“I always tell the boys that defense and baserunning are what win these type of ball games at this age level,” he said. “We probably practice defense more than anything else. It’s a strength that we have. (There is) a big focus there. ... It’s important that we prevent runs.”
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Wyatt Crosby hits the ball during practice at Vallotton Park. Crosby and the 8-year-old All-Stars from the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority are competing in the Dizzy Dean Baseball state tournament, which begins Thursday. Christian Malone | The Valdosta Daily Times
-
Joel Michael Presley, the second baseman for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority’s 8-year-old All-Stars, throws the ball to first base during practice. Christian Malone | The Valdosta Daily Times
-
Mason Steel, the first baseman for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority’s 8-year-old All-Stars, throws the ball home during practice on Monday. Christian Malone | The Valdosta Daily Times
-
Daniel Kerrigan, the shortstop for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority’s 8-year-old All-Stars, throws the ball to first after stepping on second for a force out during practice on Monday at Vallotton Park. Christian Malone | The Valdosta Daily Times
Discussion
The hometown baseball team
8-year-old VLPRA All-Star team competing in state tourney in Valdosta
- Local Sports
-
-
GSC Awards Ceremony
The Gulf South Conference is proud to announce its 17th annual GSC “Top Ten” Award winners.
-
Georgia Sparks win championship in Orlando
The Georgia Sparks Basketball Teams traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in Spring Fling 2 Super Region Tournament which took place at Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. This was a busy weekend for the Sparks which brought three teams and over 30 parents.
-
Manu Ginobili sparks Spurs to Game 5 win
Manu Ginobili ran onto the floor as fans stood and screamed.
He went to the bench, and they chanted his name.
The sights and sounds of so many San Antonio spring nights were back Sunday night — and the real party might be just a few days away.
Ginobili broke out of a slump in a big way with 24 points and 10 assists in his first start of the season, and the Spurs beat the Miami Heat 114-104 to take a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals. -
2013 South Georgia Diamond Brawl
The Lowndes Vikings baseball team is set to host the 16th Annual South Georgia Diamond Brawl, featuring 19 teams playing 28 games across four fields.
-
Jaguars Caravan 2013
The Jackonsivlle Jaguars’ caravan made a stop at the Valdosta Mall Saturday for their second visit in as many years.
-
Stormy weather halts play during US Open 1st round
Phil Mickelson rolled a birdie attempt 8 feet past the hole at No. 11. Steve Stricker did the same at No. 12. Bogey. Bogey.
And that wasn’t even the stormy part. -
Blackhawks beat Bruins 4-3 in 3OT Cup opener
The Chicago Blackhawks know all about Andrew Shaw’s reputation around the league. They also know the pesky little forward is so much more than just another irritant for opposing players.
-
Valdosta’s Eldridge inducted to Georgia Golf Hall of Fame
Frank Eldridge has been playing golf so long that he has spent nearly his whole life with a club in his hand.
-
“Must Win” continues to captivate readers
Drew Jubera has been pleased with the reaction to his book “Must Win.”
-
Spurs rout Heat, grab 2-1 series lead
Gary Neal may have dreamed it, though it was nothing Danny Green ever could have imagined.
Not back when he was LeBron James' teammate in Cleveland, scoring fewer points in the 2009-10 season than James scored in some games. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
GSC Awards Ceremony
