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Little League All-Stars hope to repeat success

South Fort Myers Little League All-Stars begins practice for state tournament

By KEVIN JOHNSON (Contact)

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Before Jordan Hair started crushing balls over the fence, he bunted.

Before David Antonucci began ripping line drives into the gaps, he bunted.

That's how the South Fort Myers Little League's 11-year-old All-Stars began their first practice on Wednesday evening at Rutenberg Park.

A lineup chocked full of power received a healthy dose of small ball.

"You have to know how to manufacture runs," said manager Bruce McAfee, whose team is scheduled to play its first game on June 24.

McAfee's team has the potential to dent a few Rawlings during the tournament with Paul Bretton (10 home runs in the regular season), Travis McAfee (8 home runs), Fabian Afanador and Hair among others.

"We've got some pop," said McAfee. "We've got some big boys."

But McAfee also understands the importance of a well-rounded team, which is why every player began their batting practice by making a handful of bunts.

Rain on Tuesday forced South into the batting cages at the Lee County Sports Complex. Wednesday was the first time the team practiced on a field.

In the early stages, McAfee likes what he sees, including an abundance of unselfishness. All-star teams tend to be loaded with shortstops, pitchers and catchers, meaning some players have to switch positions. McAfee said his players have been very receptive to making changes.

"Someone has to move around and we have kids who don't mind playing outfield," he said. Hair is the lone player on the squad from the league's post-season champion A's.

Photo by KEVIN JOHNSON / Banner

Fabian Afanador keeps his eyes on the ball while making a bunt during practice for the South Fort Myers Little League's 11-year-old All-Stars at Rutenberg Park on Wednesday.

"He doesn't want to take his hat off because they're the ones who won the league tournament," McAfee joked.

All eight of the league's teams are represented. The Marlins produced the most players with Afanador, Bretton and Ryan Rivera.

On the mound, Bretton, Travis McAfee (Twins), Shane King (Cardinals) and Spencer Hobby (Orioles) will likely see a majority of the work.

South will try to repeat its performance from 2004 when their 11-year-olds captured the state championship in the tournament's debut. About half of this year's All-Stars played on last year's 9-10 year-old squad which won district and regional titles.

The only game McAfee is focused on right now is the first one.

"I don't look too far ahead. I hate to say those goofy clichés, but you have to play one game at a time," he said.

• South Fort Myers 11-year-old All-Stars: Manager -Bruce McAfee. Coaches -Rich King, Paul Bretton, Paul Hobby. Players -Fabian Afanador, Marlins; David Antonucci, Orioles; Zach Belcher, Dodgers; Paul Bretton, Marlins; T.J. Feeney, Phillies; Cory Gibson, Dodgers; Jordan Hair, A's; Spencer Hobby, Orioles; Travis Huff, White Sox; Shane King, Cardinals; Travis McAfee, Twins; Collin Quigley, Cardinals; Ryan Rivera, Marlins.

Photo by KEVIN JOHNSON / Banner

South Fort Myers Little League 9-10-year-old All-Star shortstop Cade Bray prepares to make a throw to first during practice at Rutenberg Park on Wednesday.

John Bray already knows what it takes for an all-star team to be successful.

One year ago he was a coach on South Fort Myers' 9-10 year-old All-Star team which won district and regional titles.

"It's fundamentals that are critical," said Bray, who will manage this year's 9-10 year-olds. "Making the little things work is what makes a team successful...and getting lucky."

It doesn't hurt having experience on your side, either. That's what South possesses with Bray's son, Cade, Sam Weiss and Andy Williams. The trio is back after being part of last year's run. Even a 10-year-old can have valuable veteran leadership skills.

"We've made them kind of captains. They'll lead the warm-ups at the beginning of practices and hopefully set the example," said Bray.

Bray will be assisted by coaches Chip Duncan, J.T. Thomas and Drew Williams.

"We've got a great group of coaches with a lot of experience," said Bray.

Duncan, a former NCAA Division II All-American in baseball, was inducted into the Columbus State University (Ga.) Athletic Hall of Fame last Saturday.

On Wednesday, Bray and his staff got their first look at the All-Stars as a team during practice at Rutenberg Park.

• South Fort Myers 9-10 year-old All-Stars: Manager -John Bray. Coaches -Chip Duncan, J.T. Thomas and Drew Williams. Players -Hunter Belcher, Dodgers; Charlie Bisbee, Cardinals; Kenny Buzenius, A's; Cade Bray, Marlins; Cal Duncan, A's; Alex Holfman, Dodgers; Colin McCluskey, White Sox; Jonah Owenby, Marlins; David Strang, Cardinals; Tanner Thomas, Phillies; Nick Toops, White Sox; Sammy Weiss, Phillies; Andy Williams, Orioles.