August 2017(Printer) Single page

By Stacy Case
Many of those who are in-the-know regarding youth travel baseball
programs are probably aware that South Florida is a breeding
ground for the sport. With a climate that is conducive to pretty
much year round baseball, the athletes can improve their diamond
skills at quite a rapid pace.
And the Florida Force 11U travel baseball team recently proved
such at the Amateur Athletic Union's Grand National
Championships at the ESPN Wide World of Sports earlier this
summer in Orlando when they won the gold bracket title. "This was
our first year going to such a big tournament like this, and it meant
a lot to our program and to our kids," says Kris Birge, manager of
the Florida Force 11U team. "They all came a long way and each
got better as our season progressed."
While in Orlando, the Force competed against teams from all over
the country, and after a demoralizing 0-4 start, they came back up
through bracket play with five straight wins to earn the crown.
Nonetheless, the Force won the title in rather dramatic fashion and
came home with some impressive hardware. Less tangible than
shiny rings and around-the-neck medals, are the everlasting memories
and experiences had by the 12 boys on the team this summer.
"They really just believed in themselves and began to take
every game as if it were the championship," adds Kris, who has
coached various aged travel baseball players and teams around
town for about a decade. "In the beginning when they were losing
it was rough, but they just didn't give up."
The Force had begun their quest for the AAU title back in January
when they opened up their traditional Spring season. From several
practices every week, and double-header Sunday games
against other South Florida Travel Baseball League teams in the
local circuit, to some smaller area tournament participation, the
Force best prepared for one of the most highly-regarded tournaments
in the travel baseball landscape and had that successful
showing in Central Florida. But victory was no accident for the
Force. "These kids got better each game and each tournament,
which got them as ready as possible for Orlando," Kris says. "And
when they'd lose a game, that would put them in the right state of
mind and they figured out how to step it up." Kris says the team's
good defense and timely hitting, especially when they had 2 outs,
contributed to the feat. "I've coached a lot of baseball and this was
one of the most incredible tournaments, particularly when I saw
kids of this age turn it around and take it to the next level with each
one of them playing an important role," he adds "It was certainly a
team effort up there!"
And while the team is taking it easy over with a few light practices
during the week, Kris and company will pick back up right around
when school resumes in order to play their Fall season, when they
graduate to 12U status. Over the Fall and Spring seasons, the
Force will be preparing for their participation at the ever-famous
Cooperstown Dreams Park sometime next summer.
Congratulations Force! We'll be watching!