The Twilight Maniacs use a tough schedule in hopes of gaining a national title.
By TERRY JONES
Published June 19, 2004
VALRICO - Last summer, the Twilight Maniacs finished tied for seventh in the National Softball Association U.S. Championships tournament.
Most of the players were 13 and at the bottom part of the 14-and-under division. Now they are hot and on top this summer.
Last weekend the team traveled to Kissimmee to compete in the Florida Parks and Recreation State Tournament for the 18-and-under Gold State Championships.
During the coin toss for the semifinal against a team from Gainesville, the opposing coach heard an assistant mention the Maniacs were a 14-and-under squad.
"He wanted to know why we would want to humiliate young players by having them get embarrassed by a group of older, more experienced players," Maniacs assistant coach Ben Dawson said.
"He didn't want to play us, but we told him we wanted to give the girls a chance to meet great pitching. He said they would meet one that day."
The Maniacs won the game 5-0, then won the final 5-0 to capture the state title. Though the Maniacs have a lot of softball still to play this summer, they have one big goal ahead. They want to finish the job they started last summer at the NSA World Series.
"Our girls want to go back and win their national championship," Dawson said. "The tournament will be in Columbus, Ohio, and we have plans to be there. The players are putting everything they have into each game and tournament now with that one goal in mind. We are playing up in tournament competition, mostly 16s and 18s, to intensify our competition to better prepare for the best in our younger age group."
All but four of the team's 13 players have been together since competing as 8-and-unders.
Dawson said the team is best at offense, but also has a solid defense and good pitching. The team batting average is .328.
"They have a lot of speed on the bases and on defense," Dawson said. "We have some very strong hitters and they are all smart, very aggressive baserunners."
The team is comprised of some players from Polk County and the rest from Hillsborough.
Kendall Arnold, Mackenzie Dawson, Brittany Crabb and Ashley Bell make up the pitching rotation. Dawson said they all share time on the mound, with no one particular ace, and all four are right-handed.
Arnold also pitches for Wharton High, Dawson for Plant City, Crabb for Durant and Bell for Auburndale.
Kendall Dawson of Marshall Middle School and Brooke Leggore of McKeel Academy share catching duties. Leggore also helps out at second base.
Randi Grimes is another McKeel Academy player. McKeel placed second in the Class 2A tournament this year.
Kaylee West plays first base and, when needed, can help on the mound. She also plays at Sunrise Christian School. Loren Taylor helps out as a second baseman with a good glove and plenty of speed, according to Dawson. Taylor attends Stambaugh Middle School.
Dawson believes Stephanie Hendricks, who attends Lake Region High, may be the best shortstop in the state. He said she not only has the speed and skill to cover the gap between second and third, but a large portion of leftfield.
Outfielders include Janine Richardson, of Jewett Middle School, Ashlyn Parmerter of Winter Haven and Heather Williamson of Auburndale. Tom Taylor is the manager and the coaches are Mike Zealley and Dawson.
