Sweeties, Darlings & Angels

The youngest girls divisions will take the field this weekend for all-star tournaments.

By STEVE LEE, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published June 21, 2002

ZEPHYRHILLS -- Hernando, West Pasco and East Pasco teams kick off the Dixie Softball League postseason today at the Jordan Softball Complex.

The Sweeties (ages 5-6), Darlings (7-8) and Angels (9-10) play in District 4 All-Star tournaments this weekend with only the older group eligible for state and DSL World Series tourneys.

Next weekend, the Ponytails (11-12) and Belles (13-15) will play for district titles and state berths.

Last year, West Pasco won state titles in the Angels and Ponytails divisions. West Pasco's Ponytails took third and the Angels fifth in the DSL World Series.

Peggy Miller, who manages the East Pasco Angels, said her players may have a slight homefield advantage. But between the Hernando squads and the two Pasco County teams, she added, "West Pasco's usually the No.1 team to beat."

West Pasco president Kelly Skulas suggested her organization's lack of a Sweeties program could lead to more experienced ballplayers at the higher levels.

While East Pasco's and Hernando's Sweeties hit balls off a tee or have coaches pitch to them, West Pasco's 5- and 6-year-olds play with the Darlings and the players pitch.

"That's the only division we don't have," Skulas said of the Sweeties. "Consequently, I think by the time those girls get older, they are stronger.

"I think if you have strong pitching, you're going to have better batters and the defense comes with it."

Jeff Hupp, who coaches one of East Pasco's two Sweeties teams, approves of that division, saying it gives the younger players a chance to bask in the limelight.

"It's kind of special for them, because they're labeled as all-stars," Hupp said.

Still, at that age, Hupp said the recognition is not as meaningful to all players.

"To a majority of them, it's just another day to go to the ballpark and have fun," he said.

Regardless of what group 5- and 6-year-olds are paired with, coaches agree that learning is the primary goal.

"This is where they learn the fundamentals," Hupp said. "This is where they learn how to play the game; to swing the bat level, to run to the correct bases."

Before last season, neither of the age groups playing this weekend advanced to the DSL World Series. Last year was the first time the Angels advanced that far. Two-time state champion West Pasco finished fifth.

As for the younger age groups, who do not compete beyond the district level, East Pasco board member Laura Clark echoed the sentiment of many.

"They're too young," Clark said of the Sweeties and Darlings limited to district tourneys. "I think that's the reasoning behind it. They're too young to travel."

ALL-STAR ROSTERS WEST PASCO

DARLINGS (AGES 7-8)

Ceyla Esendemir, Lydia Kinney, Rachel Enerson, Allison Murphy, Caitlan Rambo, Sarah Olin, Emma Fivecoat, Alicia Schulman, Brooke Bradley, Regina Pascalli, Katelyn Horn, Katie Badger; manager Bryan Horn, coaches Lorraine Schulman, Scott Fivecoat and Jeanne Horn.

ANGELS (AGES 9-10)

Jillie Eiland, Carley Parker, Jennifer Karl, Auburn Cherry, Ana Alberti, Courtney Doughtery, Samantha Jolly, Danielle Schulman, Taylor Bruckner, Courtney Radke, Samantha Stahl, Angela Musso; manager Tony Cherry, coaches Ron Larson and Sheri Garland.

EAST PASCO

SWEETIES 1 (AGES 5-6)

Austin Baptist, Garrett Bercaw, Casey Chitty, Chelsea Chitty, Dakotah Cotton, Lindsey Hupp, Haley Jones, Savannah Marler, Ashley Morris, John White; manager Jeff Hupp, coaches Don Hupp, Gary Jones and James Marler.

SWEETIES 2 (AGES 5-6)

Michael Crohn, Lindsey Crohn, Alyssa Flannery, Ciara Florer, Cheyenne Fredette, James Grant, Jarrait Humphries, Sierra Jackson, Ashley Sherwood, Eric Stoner; manager Tonda Hooks, coaches Nancy Ruth, Tom Flannery and Steve Grant.

DARLINGS (AGES 7-8)

Sarah Asua, Ashley Bane, Kayla Barney, Sarah Barnhardt, Chelsea Bullock, Lindsey Knowlton, Danielle Lane, Vanessa Schmurr, Rebecca Thompson, Hannah Ungerer, Megan Wilbanks, Kasey Williamson; manager Rich Thompson, coaches Ed Starkey and Ruby Williams.

ANGELS (AGES 9-10)

Rheannon Bahneman, Amanda Barney, Amanda Bass, Christin Boettcher, Katie Fox, Taylor Humphries, Jordan Mast, Frances Miller, Stephanie Patterson, Amanda Thompson, Ashley Touchton, Kenda York, Christian Moyer; manager Peggy Miller.

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