Announcement
March 11 Florida Today Little League article by Jeff Gardenour
By JEFF GARDENOUR For Florida Today
CAPE CANAVERAL -- More than 1,000 players, coaches and fans showed their support for America’s favorite pastime last weekend when three Central Brevard Little League organizations opened the 2009 season. Several hundred folks turned out for Space Coast Little League’s Opening Day Ceremonies at the Cape Canaveral ball field. Approximately 100 players were on hand with their parents, and every player, coach and team parent was introduced to the crowd by league president Jim Kontos. "The weather was beautiful and the event was a roaring success," Kontos said. Guest speakers were Cape Canaveral Mayor Rocky Randels, Cocoa Beach Vice-Mayor Kevin Pruett and the Elks Lodge’s E.R. Walter Little. The league also introduced Cape Canaveral councilman Buzz Petsos, Cape Canaveral Parks and Recreation Director Robert Lefever and Cape Canaveral VFW’s Ray Brennan. The Elks Lodge helps by covering more than half of each player’s sign-up costs. Space Coast player fees are only $75, plus an agreement to buy or sell $25 of raffle tickets, with proceeds going to the league. "To thank them for all for what they have done for our league, we decided to depart from the traditional first pitch, and, instead, had each guest throw out one of our first six pitches of the season," Kontos said. The league also recognized the 2008 District 22 Majors championship team, the Space Coast Bulls, by unveiling a banner. Following the ceremony, league volunteers provided free hot dogs, hamburgers, water, Gatorade, soda, popcorn and snow cones to the attendees, and the teams had their annual photos taken. In keeping Opening Day a community event, Space Coast Little League provided inflatables for the kids and entertainment by the "Buck Barefoot" band. "A great time was had by all and the kids are looking forward to the beginning of the season this week," Kontos said.
Merritt Island Little League’s Opening Day drew a whopping 450 people to the fields behind Audubon Elementary School, according to league information director Carla Steinmetz. Guest speakers were Brevard County Commissioner Chuck Nelson, former Florida Marlins pitcher Brian Moore, Little League District 22 Administrator Joe LeBlanc and Merritt Island High baseball coach Tony Haddock. Also in attendance were several Merritt Island High baseball players and the Brevard Manatees’ mascot. The league also recognized last year’s 10- and 11-year-olds’ baseball team, which won District 22 and Section 3 championships. Honored were manager Mel Lang, coach Tom Williams, and players Tucker Bennett, Ryan Frost, Carter Kunz, Ryan Lang, Matthew Maestre, Devin Mead, Garrett Moatts, Chandler Price, Nick Schenerlein, Ryan Vetsch and Tommy Williams. Following the ceremony, the players were presented free pizza, courtesy of Papa John’s. A raffle also was held, with prizes including a night at Ron Jon’s Cape Caribe Resort, bicycle, Team Combat bats, and a visit to LaBella Spa, as well as many restaurant and sporting goods store gift certificates, and other sponsor and team donations. The league also played two Minor I and two Majors baseball games. In Minor 1 play, the Tigers beat the Rays, 7-5. Steven Williams started, with Joe Johnson and Nick Avdellas in relief for the winners. Williams also went 2-for-2 with a double, triple and two runs batted in; Kavin Murphy, triple and two RBI; and Matt Maffei, double and sacrifice fly, for the Tigers. The Rays’ Tim DeMorat started and struck out the side in the second inning. Griffin Kindred, Wyatt Walker and Andrew Beardall pitched in relief. Kindred also had a double. Also, the Orioles beat the Indians, 13-2. In the Majors, the White Sox beat the Red Sox, 15-3. Price started, Lang struck out three in relief and Austin Parrish pitched for the winners. Lang also had a single, over-the-fence home run, in-the-park home run and five RBI; Price, single and over-the-fence home run; Parrish and Ethan Bennett, single and a double each; Travis McKenzie, two-run double; and Tucker Bennett, three singles, for the White Sox. Max Erdman started, and David Brindamour, Will Erdman and Tyler Dixon pitched in relief for the Red Sox. Will Erdman also hit a double and a triple. The Reds defeated the Cardinals, 17-1. Mead started and struck out seven, and Moatts allowed just one hit in relief for the Reds. Teammates Ross Lotspeich had a single and the first home run of the season in MILL; Mead, single and triple; Schenerlein, single and double; and Tommy Williams, double. Kunz started, with Nicholas Hooks and Vetsch pitching in relief, for the Cardinals. Kunz also hit a double.
Approximately 750 folks showed for North Merritt Island Little League’s Opening Day Ceremonies. Sierra Weeks sang the National Anthem, and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Department’s motorcycle officers put on an exhibition. League president Buddy Johnson introduced the teams. Guest speakers were Brevard County Parks and Operations Manager Jack Masson, LeBlanc, Haddock and Nelson. The festivities also included a magician, balloon art, a bat-around by all teams and food catered by Beef O’Brady’s. The league also had several booths set up, including one from league sponsor "The Strike Zone," which showcased batting cages, with instruction. "It was really a great Opening Day that everyone enjoyed," Johnson said.
Cocoa Little League opened play last week. In Minors baseball, Kyle Hurst hit an inside-the-park home run to help the Cocoa Dodgers tie the Rockledge Marlins, 9-9. Jared Dufresne had an inside-the-park home run, Jason Talbot had a double and two triples, and Tivis Bell had a double and two RBI to lead the Cocoa Dodgers past the Rockledge Jays, 16-8. Also, the Cocoa Reds beat the Rockledge Jays, 14-9, and lost to the Rockledge Rays, 14-9. In Majors baseball, the Cocoa Cubs beat the Rockledge Yankees, 5-3, as Logan Denning had a walk-off home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Also, the Cocoa Marlins lost to the Rockledge Braves, 8-0. In Majors softball, the Cocoa Gators tied Rockledge, 13-13, in the first Cocoa Little League Softball game in many years. Also, the Cocoa Gators nipped the Port St. John Bandits, 22-21. Kimberly Davis picked up the win. In Port St. John Little League, the Ironbirds defeated the Durham Bulls, 12-4, in Minors baseball. Bradley Cantrell started, with Connor Giles in relief, for the winners. Trevor Young started for the Bulls, with Sage Perez in relief. The Ironbirds’ Christopher Doane received the game ball for hitting a three-run single. The Ironbirds then beat the Lugnuts, 16-10. Christian Warriner started, and Christopher Sewell and Michael Shinabarger pitched in relief for the winners. Bryce Adams started for the Lugnuts and was relieved by Connor Perrine and Nick Batista. Warriner had two hits.
In Juniors baseball, the Yankees blanked the Cubs, 10-0. Kyle Kegley had a 330-foot home run for the Yankees. Travis Buchanan and Kyle Goddard pitched for the Cubs. The Cubs edged the Mets, 4-3, in eight innings. Travis Buchanan started for the Cubs and was relieved by Kyle Goddard. Nick Rittenhouse hit a double for the winners. Brenton Harrington struck out 10 for the Mets. Also, the Rockies beat the Mets, 11-5. Austin Gemes and Mike Pitts each had two doubles, and Cameron Rambo and Ryan Porter pitched and combined for six strikeouts for the Rockies. Porter got the win. Harrington, Caleb Allen, Taylor Burrett and Daniel Paulino pitched for the Mets. The Rockies then defeated the Yankees, 8-5. Gemes and Rambo pitched, with Rambo striking out 12 and getting the win. Kyle Wilkins had a two-run single, and T.J. Beasley hit a triple for the Rockies.
Merritt Island Lassie Softball League will hold Opening Day Ceremonies beginning at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 14, at the Lassie League fields. The league will dedicate its field to Bill "Strick" Strickland.
