Shaking Off The Rust

SEBRING - Cesar Martinez didn't let an error in the outfield linger over his team very long during Monday's practice - as quickly as the play was made, Martinez employed the youngster to run off his mistake.

The Sebring All-Stars head coach has been brushing off the rust on his team for the past three weeks - since the last time they were competitive on the field in the city tournament - and preparing his charges for the Dixie Junior Boys (age 13) District 8 tournament, which begins on Friday in Okeechobee.

"There is never enough time to get ready," Martinez said. "Sometimes boys will try and take shortcuts on the field and you can't let them start bad habits like that. You have to make them hustle on every play because you never know which play will change the whole game."

Sebring kicks off the double-elimination tournament against host Okeechobee on Friday at 7 p.m.
Defense will be a highlight for the Sebring All-Stars, as infielders Wade Faircloth, Cody Cook and Justin Acevedo should be stop-gaps for any opposing line drives and ground balls, while left-hander Garrett Martinez is just one of the hurlers that will be looked to lift the boys in blue to the title game.

"Garrett has a really strong arm and is poised on the mound," Coach Martinez said. "I think we've got a really good pitching staff along with Justin [Acevedo] that should be as strong as any team in the tournament."

The younger Martinez was the ace of the Goin' Postal staff, using his impressive fastball and change-up to stymie opposing batters, while Acevedo was an intricate part of the Publix team that won the Dixie Boys city tournament on June 1, but all the boys have put aside the city rivalries to strive for a chance at a district title.

"We just go out and play baseball," Acevedo said. "We're a part of the Sebring All-Stars now. We've all been out here working on getting better and becoming a team."

In the outfield, Tori Pringle has shown the speed to cover lots of ground and made some impressive grabs during practice, while the fleet-footed youth will also be a danger to steal when on the bases.

Martinez and his coaching staff made a point to run through situational hitting drills that simulate actual game-time strategy to hone the team's reflexes.

"These kids haven't played in a live game in a while so you have to work out all the kinks," Martinez said. "This is also a good tool to make these kids work together as a team.

"I've been coaching baseball a long time and this team is finally becoming just that - a team."

Starting the tournament off against Okeechobee is something that doesn't bother Martinez, who believes his team should never be afraid to play anybody - including the best.

"It doesn't matter who we play," Martinez said. "It'd be nice to know a little more about who we're facing, but in the end, you've got to play the best during a tournament.

"I feel really confident in this group of kids. They've put in the time and hard work to play against any team in the district. We've done all the work and now it's time to go prove that we deserve the title."

WANT TO KNOW MORE?
See Friday's Highlands Today for a preview of the Dixie 14-year-old All-Star tournament.