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Boardman 11-12 team prepares for state title run
By TOM WILLIAMS
BOARDMAN
The excitement of an extra-inning 6-4 victory over Poland in the Little League district tournament has the Boardman 11-12 baseball team motivated for the state tournament that begins Saturday in Elyria’s Vic Janowicz Memorial Park.
“It was just a blast, a heckuva ride,” said first baseman Gavin Dill of district success. “It would be amazing if we could somehow get [to Williamsport]. That would be spectacular.”
Center fielder Devon Curd, who scored the winning run against Poland, called playing in the Williamsport age bracket “a once in a lifetime chance.”
Manager Frank Beato said this is the first state experience for this group. Unlike in previous seasons when Boardman Community Baseball entered two all-star teams in the district level, this year there was one.
“With one 12-year-old team, we were able to put the best on the field [together], and it showed,” Beato said. “We were much more competitive this year.”
Gino Beato’s three hits in the nine-inning win over Poland included a two-run homer, He also tripled and doubled in the two-and-a-half hour game. Also with three hits was Lou Cardona Jr.
The other members of the roster are Trent Humphreys, Jack Lynch, Mario Graziani, Preston Stitt, Efrain Velez, Brandon Fuese, Danny Boerio and Alex Duda.
Assisting Frank Beato are Tim Humphreys and Lou Cardona Sr.
Today at 4 p.m., the team will receive a send-off from the Boardman police and fire units when the players, coaches and families depart from the football stadium behind Boardman Center Middle School.
Beato has a practice scheduled for Friday evening in Elyria where they’ll stay in preparation for Saturday’s opener at 2 p.m. against Avon.
Beato said the Elyria field has a dirt infield and “is quite different from what we’re used to in Boardman so we want to get them a little used to it.”
Ten teams will compete in the double-elimination tournament that will end on July 30. The winner will advance to the Little League Midwest tournament. Two teams from that tournament advance to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
“If you stay in the winner’s bracket, you play Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” Beato said.
Beato said the team plans to commute to each game after Saturday.
Because of the dirt infield, Boardman has been practicing mornings on one of the softball fields at the Fields of Dreams. Curd says that should help him and his speed “because it will be harder to field the ball. Grass slows the ball down.”
In the evenings, they’ve worked on batting indoors with pitching machines.
“They are night and day from where we had them in rec ball,” Beato said. “For me, this isn’t just about baseball. This about life ... [about] how to grow up to be men. We’ve had some tough practices, but we’ve earned some success from them.”
Boardman’s other district wins were over Canfield (13-6), Girard (4-2) and Poland (5-2).
Little League rules require everyone play at least three outs and one at-bat.
Pitchers are monitored by how many pitches they make. For instance, a pitcher who makes 35 or fewer pitched in a game can return after one day’s rest. Anyone topping 50 throws must stay off the mound the next two days.
“The kids are enjoying themselves and they all feel part of the team,” Beato said. “In one way or another, they contribute. They’ve all been part of the success.”
Dill agreed with Curd on the thrill of advancing to face Ohio’s best.
“It’s a once in a lifetime experience,” Dill said. “With the exception of one player, everyone else on this team is 12 so it’s their one and only chance to represent Boardman at state and even further. It’s awesome.”