The competition for the Pony Title this year is proving to be a two-horse race between Too Hot and Progressive Distributors. The final games of the season will be the decider.
Progressive Distributors are fortunate to have the head-coaching skills of Keith Larson, said a league organiser.
Larson is admired, and even envied a little, for his ability to take a group of players, with his fair share of rookies, and turn them into a softball machine.
Coach Larson won the Tee Ball Championship the last two years he coached in that division, before moving up to Pony with his sons Shawn and Zach. He took Sports Supply to the Pony Championship last year and the road to this year’s requires his team to be beaten in the last week of the season.
The impressive Mr. Larson was a novice only a few years ago, helping the team on which his sons were placed. However, there is probably not a book or video on teaching softball that Larson does not now own.
He has developed a coordinated set of practice drills whose effectiveness is amply demonstrated by some of his team’s scores this season.
The league needs new volunteers and Mr. Larson is proof that even those with no prior knowledge of the game can be of great assistance.
Coach Larson believes that one cannot teach players to bat or catch in one or two hours per week. However, he says, if you show someone how to play the various positions, the player will want to catch and bat well, is likely to practice on their own and will develop the appropriate skills.
Mr. Larson believes in winning, however, only when sportsmanship is displayed at all times. He is more than happy to pass on his knowledge to anyone willing eager to listen. At least three other teams have benefited from Mr Larson’s strategies.
He is just one of many dedicated and capable volunteers, without whom the league could not function, said a league official.
The goal of Cayman Islands Little League is to promote softball in the islands. Through the generous support of corporate and individual sponsors and volunteers, the league is able to achieve this at no cost to those taking part.
It is a valuable opportunity to instill confidence, team skills and sportsmanship, creating a positive impact on Cayman youth.
The league runs softball games for players between the ages of 5 and 16, covering the majority of youth.
Raw indigenous talent and coaching ability may enable a Cayman player to join the major leagues one day, said an official.
Games are played at the Field of Dreams, a custom-designed facility. Boasting four fields, the Field of Dreams has space for additional facilities as the number of participants grows, an evident trend.
With the assistance of Mastec and the Caribbean Utility Company, hurricane damage to floodlights, buildings and fields is nearly repaired, allowing night games to resume and more matches to be held, as well as other sports to use the facilities.
The league’s fund-raising raffle is scheduled for June 25. The organization holds a sizable mortgage on the Field of Dreams, and part of the proceeds of the raffle will pay down the debt.
Tee Ball and other games were rained out last weekend, testing the patience of players, parents and coaches, seeing waterproofing for repaired roofs.
Postponed Tee Ball games will be played on Saturday, and the season will be extended one week to accommodate final games.
Other divisions will also schedule their missed games during the next two weeks.
Because of the raffle, all-star games will take place on Saturday 25 June.
Those who have not yet purchased a raffle ticket, offering a chance to win US$25,000, have another week.
Hopefully the weather will now cooperate, said an official.
In the Pony-division’s Progressive-CAPA game, Zach Larson pitched an amazing first inning, three up and three down. Shawn Larson also pitched well in the second with three outs in four batters.
Joneil Bent caught two infield flys in the fourth and fifth innings. Kyle McCoy finished then fifth inning on a throw to first base.
Progressive played well, overpowering CAPA.
In Too Hot vs. Esso, the latter forfeited because of insufficient players.
However, in Little League spirit, the teams played none the less.
Jean Luis Beaudeaux struck out three batters in a row.
There was an outstanding triple play as pitcher Dave Scott caught the batter’s pop-up, threw to the second baseman, who threw to first.
In the 10- 12 Boys Division, two shut-out innings by reliever Ben Drummond gave Deloitte their fourth win.
Three solid fielding plays by Josh Stubbs helped Deloitte consolidate the victory.
Island Paving vs. Grand Harbour was close for the first three innings with excellent pitching from Fabio Gall for Grand Harbour and Seth Watler for Island Paving.
Grand Harbour led 2-1 after three innings. In the fourth, Island Paving broke it open with aggressive base running and four timely runs.
They kept the heat on in the fifth with another four runs.
Grand Harbour made a valiant effort in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two on a home run by Alex Pascal.
Grand Harbour stopped Island Paving in the top of the sixth, and looked good in the bottom half of the inning until a textbook double play was turned by the Island Paving’s pitcher, shortstop and first baseman.
The final score was 9-4 for Island Paving.
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