Even before the Rays suffered another loss Thursday night, James Shields was eager to step back into the stopper's role he has filled in the past. ...more

July 11, 2008

EAST LAKELAND — The Sebring All-Stars entered the Dixie AAA (ages 9-10) state tournament with a lot of confidence after cruising through the District 8 tournament with ease. The competition at the state tournament is tougher, but so far, the boys in black and blue haven't been challenged. Connor Cook led off Sunday's second-round game against Hardee with a solo home run and Jimmy Peck added a three-run blast as Sebring hammered Hardee 12-2 in four innings in Lakeland. The mercy-rule win kept Sebring, which pummeled East Lakeland 16-2 on Saturday, unbeaten in the 12-team, double-elimination tournament and set up a game at 8 tonight against an undetermined opponent. "We're really starting to swing the bats well," said Sebring coach Bobby Cannon. "We made some errors that we don't usually make in the early going, but it's hard to find fault with the way we're playing. ...more

July 7, 2008

EAST LAKELAND — Some Lake Placid players stood silent as they watched West Volusia's Trey Turner warm up before they were about to take their first at-bats. Turner's fastball, which has been clocked at 60-65 mph, forced numerous pop-ups and kept Lake Placid in check, as West Volusia defeated LP 12-1 in a four-inning, mercy-rule game in the opening round of the Dixie Youth Majors (ages 11-12) "O" Zone state tournament in East Lakeland on Saturday. "That's the best pitcher and best team we've faced all year bar none," Lake Placid coach Ed Stanley said. "We couldn't catch up to [Turner's] fast ball and had very few chances to get anything going offensively." The loss dropped Lake Placid into the loser's bracket where they were scheduled to face Malone at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. ...more

July 6, 2008

SEBRING — It's been three weeks since Ty Little came up big with his walk-off grand slam to beat Lake Placid in the District 8 tournament final and the 12-year-old is still feeling the euphoria. "I still can't believe I hit it out," said Little during a recent practice. "But I hope that isn't the last one I ever hit." The Sebring players have been dodging the weather and picking up practice time when they can in preparation for the Dixie Youth Majors (ages 11-12) "O" Zone state tournament, which begins today in East Lakeland. Sebring head coach Charlie White chuckled when asked about Little's feat and if his team can ride that crest of momentum into the tournament. ...more

July 4, 2008

OKEECHOBEE — It took a little longer for the Sebring All-Stars' offense to show up against Avon Park in Sunday's third round of the Dixie 13-year-old boys District 8 tournament at Okeechobee Sports Complex. But it was better late then never, as Mark Greenauer's homer and Justin Long's two-run single gave Sebring a come-from-behind 5-3 win over Avon Park. "We're really struggling with the bats right now," said Sebring coach Cesar Martinez. "But we hung in there and got just enough offense to pull out the win. ...more

June 30, 2008

OKEECHOBEE — After seeing their potent offense limited to three hits in Saturday's extra-inning loss to Okeechobee, the Sebring All-Stars, paced by Tommy Bertoniere's three-run homer and four RBI, beat Avon Park 15-3 on Sunday in the second round of the Dixie 14-year-old boys District 8 tournament at the Okeechobee Sports Complex. "We came back strong and played a good game after a tough loss to Okeechobee," said Sebring coach Bill Westergom. "We swung the bats, took the base-on-balls and got good pitching. "Our defense has been solid in both games and we just need to be aggressive with the bats and score some runs." ...more

June 30, 2008

Closer Troy Percival hadn't pitched since the first day of the Rays' six-game road trip, so he had plenty of time to prepare himself for Sunday's save situation. ...more

June 30, 2008

PITTSBURGH – The game that looked as if it might never get started didn't seem to want to end. ...more

June 29, 2008

OKEECHOBEE — Cody Cook could hear his coach yelling for him to run home, but with the game on the line, Cook didn't immediately respond to the order being given. "I just stood there a moment and then finally got what was happening," Cook said. "And I took off." What could've been a blunder wound up being the game-winner for Cook, who crossed home plate on a fluke play involving Justin Acevedo and a miscue by Okeechobee in the Sebring All-Stars' 1-0, eight-inning victory in the opening round of the Dixie Junior Boys (age 13) District 8 tournament at Okeechobee Recreational Complex on Friday. ...more

June 28, 2008

Matt Garza wasn't terribly enthused to draw the 12:10 p.m. start Thursday under the South Florida sun. A couple of days earlier, he said his focus was on "trying to survive" the heat and humidity he knew was in store. ...more

June 27, 2008