18-Grip Shield Glory Days

Seventeen players were placed on the rosters of eight Palm Beach League teams through tryouts and the spring draft on Sunday, March 9 at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach. The Scrappers, with Noel Vazquez taking over as manager, took 19-year old Jamarlo Rawls with the first pick. Rawls played four seasons with championship teams at Pahokee High School, and while he played second base there, the Scrappers envision the speedster as an outfielder. The Scrappers were the only 18AAA team to draft, and added veteran Daniel Rodriguez, a 40+ first baseman/outfielder in the second. Rodriguez played for six years in an Adult League in New York City, as well as in tournaments in Puerto Rico. 18AA teams drafted a total of 15 players. The Super Sox, managed by Glenn Siesser, hope to improve on their first league season, and selected three. They took infielder/outfielder/pitcher William Byrd, whose previous experience includes a stint in the NABA's Atlanta, Georgia league. Byrd was impressive at all positions and could see some action on the mound as well. He is 26. The Sox also drafted 41-year old Al DeGaetano of Jupiter, who lists first base, second base, outfield and catcher as preferred positions. DeGaetano impressed all with his enthusiasm and ability. He played baseball in the New York city area. Chris Robinson of Royal Palm Beach, a 20-year old infielder, who can pitch, was the Sox' final pick and could be a valuable addition. Shaun Gullett's Genesis S Brewers also selected three players, including lefthanded pitcher Scott Longway of Delray Beach. Longway is 38 and can play outfield positions when not on the mound. The Brewers also selected 49-year old pitcher/outfielder Miguel Diaz of Boynton Beach by way of New Jersey, and 24-yer old outfielder Adam Sternberg of Delray Beach. The Mariners (Gabe Rodriguez) made only one pick, but could have a gem in 28-year old Quin McDowell, who played service baseball as well as Land O Lakes Adult Baseball in Wisconsin. He is an outfielder, but showed some ability behind the plate during infield and pitching/catching drills. The Yankees (Esteban Torres) came up with three promising choices. They tabbed 21-year old middle infielder Alex Sanabria of Lake Worth, 32-year old James Francis, an outfielder from Vero Beach, and switch hitting outfielder Frank Casaccia of Fort Lauderdale. Francis played for two years at Sacred Heart University, as well as two years of Adult League ball, both in Connecticut. The expansion Royals (Jesse McGregor, NIck Windsor) picked up three, including 26-year old outfielder Walter Velez of Delray Beach, who played high school ball in Miami, as well as in a wood bat league after his prep days. The Royals also nabbed Juan Vega of Port St.Lucie, a 32-year old middle infielder and outfielder, and veteran 50+ first baseman Richard Sakharoff of Palm Beach Gardens, who will be given a chance to make the team in spring training. Twenty three teams have entered the spring 2008 season, which opens on March 30. Nine teams are in the 18AAA (advanced) league and fourteen teams in two divisions of the 18AA (intermediate league). The league will hold it's final preseason manager meeting on Tuesday, March 25 at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, at which time the teams will turn in their league fees and signed player contracts. The spring 2008 campaign will open the league's 17th year and 33rd season since coming on the scene in the Palm Beaches in 1992. Oasis Pool Service Chamos (18AAA) and the Cuban Sugar Kings (18AA) won titles in the Fall 2007 season, which concluded last month, and both will be returning to defend their titles.