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Local Teams Swing For State

DIXIE AAA DISTRICT 8 TOURNEY BEGINS TODAY

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Sebring’s Jason Cannon tries to run down teammate Jordan Austin during Wednesday’s practice at Max Long Recreational Complex.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: June 12, 2008

SEBRING — The crack from the batting cages met the clap of the thunder and lightning on Tuesday night when head coach Bobby Cannon and his Sebring squad were running through batting practice at Max Long Recreational Complex.

"We literally were trapped in the cages while the rain came pouring down," Cannon said. "That storm kept us pinned down for about an hour, but we made it through."

That scene was played out all over Highlands County, as local teams were out practicing in preparation for the Dixie AAA (ages 9-10) District 8 tournament, which begins today at Max Long Recreational Complex.

The six-team, double-elimination tournament will feature local teams from Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid.

Many of the teams got their first taste of what to expect at last weekend's Spring Classic hosted by Sebring. That tournament gave all the teams a chance to get past the pre-tournament jitters and just play ball.

"I think having a little tournament before the big event is always good for all-star teams," Cannon said. "Many of the kids haven't played together and this gives them a chance to play real games with real emotions and see what needs to be worked on."

Lake Placid head coach Mike Warner was happy for the invite to last weekend's event and bragged of the good it has done his team.

"We were so nervous as a team," Warner said. "We hit the ball well, and I thought we played solid baseball, but you could tell they were nervous. They made nervous mistakes on defense, especially against Sebring.

"We had Sebring right where we wanted them, but defensive lapses late in the game cost us. I'd rather have the mistakes in that event than the upcoming tournament."

Sebring went 4-0 in that tournament and defeated Lake Placid 16-10 in the semifinals and beat Hardee 15-5 in the finals.

Although happy for going undefeated, Cannon was hoping to face the always tough Okeechobee National squad, who he feels is Sebring's biggest competitor for the title.

Okeechobee National was upset in the semifinals 6-2 by Hardee.

"I was really hoping we could face [Okeechobee National] and find out more about them," Cannon said. "Most of their kids play AAU ball which means their seasoned and normally sharp at this point in the year."

Sebring is led by power hitters Alex Gomez, Connor Cook and Jimmy Peck, who helped the home team average 16 runs a game during last weekend's tournament.

Trey Frazier Jason Cannon, Cook and Gomez anchor a strong pitching staff, with the latter being the ace.

"Alex has such a strong fastball and off speed pitch that most kids can't catch up to," Cannon said. "He is one of the keys to our success, but all our pitchers are capable of throwing a no-hitter if they're on their game."

Nine of Sebring's staff also play AAU ball, which Cannon says is the key to success at the Dixie level.

"Dixie and AAU are equally important, I think, to a kid becoming a well-rounded baseball player," Cannon said. "In AAU, you see some of the best pitchers in the state and your always being tested, so when you get to Dixie tournament time, it's just another game for these kids."

Between Dixie and AAU games, the Sebring squad plays baseball 10 months out of the year, which gives them an experience advantage against much of their competition.

"Sebring is going to be the team to beat," said Avon Park coach Terry Portis. "You have to play your best game against them because they don't give you anything. We have to play solid defense, along with positioning our runners in scoring position."

Avon Park braved the weather to play a scrimmage against Fort Meade on Tuesday, and Portis saw a team that's ready to put all the pieces together.

"We started a bit slow, but once we settled down, things started clicking," Portis said. "We hit the ball well and played solid defense. As a team, we just need to come out strong from the first pitch."

Kage McCard, who hit a home run against Fort Meade, joins Matthew Portis and Kyle Thompson as Avon Park's top hitters, while McCard, Portis and Bobby Pugh will do battle on the mound for the boys in red.

Lake Placid's squad features some young but up-and-coming talent in Rocco Warner, third baseman Tyler Farmer, right fielder Mason Million and Daniel Simmons, who helped LP put up 29 runs in last weekend's Sebring tournament.

"I hope all those nerves are behind us," Warner said. "We need to come out rolling on Friday."

Sebring opens the tournament against Clewiston at 6 p.m., while Avon Park takes on Okeechobee American at 6 p.m. Lake Placid faces off against Okeechobee National at 8 p.m.

See Sunday's Highlands Today for complete coverage.

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