By Tamas Mondovics
East Bay Youth Athletics 8U All-Stars Crowned South Eastern US Regional Champ, Advance to Babe Ruth Softball World Series
After a 4-2 win over Virginia State champions Manassas, VA, the East Bay’s 8U Softball All Star team were crowned last month as Southeast US Regional champs during the South East Regional Babe Ruth Softball tournament in Alachua.
Thanks to their season success, the girls managed by Rob Woods and coached by Victor Rodriguez and Kevin Ihm, reached the opportunity to represent the Southeastern US Region in the Babe Ruth Softball World Series scheduled for July 31– August 4, in Newberry, FL at the Champions Park.
The win also marks the first US Regional Championship of any East Bay All Star team, baseball or softball as well as the first World Series invitation for any East Bay team.
After a pool play loss on the first day of the tourney, EBYA ran the table over the next three days beating Bloomingdale, FL (13 – 5), Shenandoah, VA (10 – 6), Bradford, FL (12 – 9), and finally Manassas, VA in the Championship game.
The road to the WORLD SERIES started for these girls back in June with a District 10 Championship followed by a 4th place finish in the Florida State Championship Tournament which earned them a birth to the Southeastern Regionals where they came home with the title.
East Bay Youth Athletics (formerly known as Eastbay Little League) is located near I75 and Big Bend Rd in Riverview, FL and was founded in 1971.
It has been the home for youth softball and baseball to thousands of young boys and girls throughout the southern Hillsborough County since then. Serving an average of 700-800 participants per season, EBYA has grown to become one of the largest youth softball/baseball organizations in all of Hillsborough County. ment in Alachua, FL.
East Bay 11U Baseball All Star Ends Season as 2015 Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth SE Regional Champions
The East Bay 11U All Star baseball team enjoyed the limelight as tournament champions of the 2015 Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth SE Regionals held last month Chichester park in Stafford, VA.
To earn the title, East Bay defeated Lauringburg NC, 13-1 in four innings, leaving little doubt about the talent and the heart each player has brought to the tourney.
According to coach George Hunter, winning the 2015 Florida State Championship was the first State Championship in the 44-year history of baseball at Vance Vogel Park, home of East Bay Youth Athletics (formerly East Bay Little League).
“The season end for us here as unfortunately there is no World Series in the 11U division,” Hunter said, but added, “This is of course is a fantastic way to close the year and we are very proud of the team. It is also great achievement as our players worked so hard.”
Hunter was also proud of the East Bay’s 11U South Shore Rockets Travel baseball team for earning a silver medal at the 2015 AAU National Championship Game hosted at the Disney/ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida.
The Rockets battled through eight games and two rounds of pool play defeating some very tough teams out of Maryland, Georgia and Florida to advance to face off against the 11U Central Florida Wolverines/Hoyle team for the national title.
“We are extremely proud of how our Rockets competed throughout the year, and in particular, this final tournament of the 11U travel baseball season,” Hunter said. “From this experience, these Rockets will have fond memories that will no doubt last a lifetime.”
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