Two tenacious baseball team achieved tremendous success over the summer. While their neighbors were vacationing, these local gents were earning accolades to add to their sports resumes.
The North Springs Little League 10/11 Year Old All Star team began practicing together June 7. In their short stint as a team, they Won the Florida State Championship on July 24 and moved on to win the Southeast Regional Tournament of State Champions in Greenville, North Carolina on July 29. Manager Matt Halprin gives insight into what he feels was the impetus to their success. “Our motto was ‘Hustle and Heart Set us Apart’ and every boy bought into what the program was trying to do and gave 150%.”
Proud of the 13 amazing teammates; Nicky Anello, Ryan Belk, Caleb Cyr, Colin Flynn, Luis Fuentes, Matt Hendrix, Tyler Kraft, Tyler Le, Timmy Manning, Coby Mayo, Richie Pena, Sean Shambo & Zach Spano, Matt boasts, “This is the only Little League team in Broward, Dade or Palm Beach counties to ever win back to back Florida State championships and the Southeast Regional championships.” Involved with North Springs Little League for 14 years, Matt no longer has a son in the program, but stays because, “I love to coach, and by being around and helping to mold young kids, they keep me young!”
Because they weren’t old enough to play for the coveted World Championship in Williamsport, these boys have gone as far as their Little League career allows, reaching the pinnacle of achievement for their age group. Make no mistake, each boy on the team, together with Manager Matt, is focused and hoping to be together next year in Williamsport where their Hustle and Heart will take them all the way to the top.
The 12U Florida Pokers traveled to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina during the week of August 4 thru August 9th to participate in and win the Cal Ripken Experience Hang Ten Tournament! The competition consisted of 19 teams from 9 different states across the U.S. as well as 1 team from the Virgin Islands, who the Pokers defeated 4-3 in the Championship Game. The Pokers Posted a record of 8-0 for the week while scoring 102 runs in the 8 games while only giving up 31 runs. All the boys contributed in some aspect in all the wins as the tournament championship was a complete team effort.
The team, coached by Todd Fitz-gerald, Justin Yeoward and Brian Makovsky, consisted of the following players: Brandon Auerbach, Kevin Heinrich, Kyle Yeoward, Chris Ferara, Andrew Jenner, Devin Makovsky, Cameron Welch, Hunter Fitz-Gerald, Chase Cone, Jarod Galindez, Gabe Cintron and Thomas Pogascas.
Congratulations North Springs & Pokers for keeping it in the headlines!
