Published: June 25, 2008 01:45 pm            

All-Star Little League action

GRAYSON - The All Star boys and girls’ teams in Grayson are into their second week of practice in preparation for the tournaments that begin Saturday.

The 10 and 11-year old team coach, Matt Morrison said his team is fortunate to have all seasoned players. “All of our boys are 11-years old,” Morrison said. “We have five strong pitchers on the team, so our strength is defiantly pitching.”

Morrison said the team’s offense needs some more work. “But defensively we are ready for the tournament,” Morrison said. “We plan to go over to Lewis County and sweep up the wins. We’re bringing a broom.”

The 10 and 11-year old team will compete in Lewis County on June 30 against Morehead, July1 against Fleming County and July 3 against Lewis County. All games begin at 7 p.m. The Area 1 winner will face the Area 2 winner in Louisa July 5 at 7 p.m.

The team’s tournament play begins Monday. Pitcher Donald Damron agrees with Coach Morrison about having a strong defense. “We have some rookie catchers, but they are coming along now,” Damron said. “I think we’ll have a great chance in the tournament.”

The boys have also been working hard at the plate. “We’ve been working on bunting and hitting,” said first baseman Logan Morrison. “We want to get better at everything, so we are working really hard in all our practices.”

As assistant Coach Bob Miller slapped balls into play, center fielder Evan Brooks was hopeful about the team. “We’re lucky to have good coaches,” Brooks said. “We’ve learned the fundamentals during the regular season, but in All Stars, we learn how to handle the big situations. Like the coaches say, errors don’t win ball games.”

Donald Damron and Phillip Felty are also on the team’s coaching staff. Other team members include Thomas Felty, Jalen Nicholes, Kody Suttles, Jessee James, Brady Jackson, Kyle Greer, Tyler Bush and Dalton Kitchen.

Across the fence, the nine and 10-year old girls’ softball team worked on their offense.

“We have a lot of girls who can really hit the ball,” said Coach Yedda Martin. “We are trying to cover all the fundamentals, and we’ve seen a lot of improvement since the first day of practice.”

Martin said their pitchers have shown some amazing speed, but still need improvement when it comes to controlling the ball.

“The Coaches keep hitting balls to us so we can work on defense,” said player Shelby Ferguson. “We’re doing our best not to let anything get by us.”

This team has big shoes to fill, and none of the girls have forgotten that. “Last year we went all the way to State,” second-year All Star Shayla Greer said. “We’re hoping to make it back there and do even better this year.”

Other members of the girl’s All Star softball team include Chelsea Thomas, Whitney Ball, Hannah Tompson, Allisa Greer, Chancey Gee, Jordy Wiler, Sarah Bailey, Abigail Damron and Katlyn Binion.

The girl’s first game is June 28 at 1pm in Fleming County. They play Lewis County.

Coaches Kenny Floyd, James Collier and Rodney Dunn are leading the nine and 10-year old All Star team. Players include Nicholas Collier, Austin Floyd, Brayden Brown, Trace Jackson, Ryan McDavid, Blake Dunn, Brady Griffith, Matthew Strother, Jordan Walburn, Kaleb Jessie, Tyler Brock and Alex Wells.

The team begins tournament action in Fleming County June 30 at 7 p.m. against Olive Hill. July 1 they play Boyd County at 5 p.m. July 5 the team faces Fleming at 6 p.m. They face Lewis County July 8 at 5 p.m. and Morehead July 10, also at 5 p.m. The Area 1 winner will face the Area 2 winner at Greenup County July 12 at 5 p.m.

Grayson’s 11 and 12 year old All Star team is hosting the Area tournament, which begins June 30 with Grayson Facing Fleming at 5 p.m. and Lewis against Boyd at 7p.m.

July 1, Fleming vs. Lewis at 5 p.m. and Olive Hill will meet Morehead at 7 p.m. July 3, Boyd and Morehead Face off at 5 p.m. and Grayson vs. Olive Hill at 7 p.m. July 5, Fleming vs. Olive Hill at 2 p.m., Boyd faces Grayson at 4 p.m. and Lewis meets Morehead at 6 p.m. July 7, Fleming plays Boyd at 5 p.m. and Morehead faces Grayson at 7 p.m. On July 8, Olive Hill vs. Lewis at 5pm and Morehead vs. Fleming at 7 p.m. Lewis meets Grayson at 5 p.m. July 10 and Olive Hill plays Boyd at 7 p.m. The Area 1 winner will face the Area 2 winner in Grayson at 6:30 p.m. July 12.

        

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