By Stacy Case
Many of those who are in-the-know regarding youth travel baseball programs are probably aware that South Florida is a breeding ground for the sport. With a climate that is conducive to pretty much year round baseball, the athletes can improve their diamond skills at quite a rapid pace.
And the Florida Force 11U travel baseball team recently proved such at the Amateur Athletic Union’s Grand National Championships at the ESPN Wide World of Sports earlier this summer in Orlando when they won the gold bracket title. “This was our first year going to such a big tournament like this, and it meant a lot to our program and to our kids,” says Kris Birge, manager of the Florida Force 11U team. “They all came a long way and each got better as our season progressed.”
While in Orlando, the Force competed against teams from all over the country, and after a demoralizing 0-4 start, they came back up through bracket play with five straight wins to earn the crown. Nonetheless, the Force won the title in rather dramatic fashion and came home with some impressive hardware. Less tangible than shiny rings and around-the-neck medals, are the everlasting memories and experiences had by the 12 boys on the team this summer. “They really just believed in themselves and began to take every game as if it were the championship,” adds Kris, who has coached various aged travel baseball players and teams around town for about a decade. “In the beginning when they were losing it was rough, but they just didn’t give up.”
The Force had begun their quest for the AAU title back in January when they opened up their traditional Spring season. From several practices every week, and double-header Sunday games against other South Florida Travel Baseball League teams in the local circuit, to some smaller area tournament participation, the Force best prepared for one of the most highly-regarded tournaments in the travel baseball landscape and had that successful showing in Central Florida. But victory was no accident for the Force. “These kids got better each game and each tournament, which got them as ready as possible for Orlando,” Kris says. “And when they’d lose a game, that would put them in the right state of mind and they figured out how to step it up.” Kris says the team’s good defense and timely hitting, especially when they had 2 outs, contributed to the feat. “I’ve coached a lot of baseball and this was one of the most incredible tournaments, particularly when I saw kids of this age turn it around and take it to the next level with each one of them playing an important role,” he adds “It was certainly a team effort up there!”
And while the team is taking it easy over with a few light practices during the week, Kris and company will pick back up right around when school resumes in order to play their Fall season, when they graduate to 12U status. Over the Fall and Spring seasons, the Force will be preparing for their participation at the ever-famous Cooperstown Dreams Park sometime next summer.
Congratulations Force! We’ll be watching!
