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Alonso pitcher plays ball in Venezuela

Alex Panteliodis and his United States team went undefeated during the Pan Am games this summer.

By TERRY JONES
Published September 22, 2006

CITRUS PARK - Alex Panteliodis was pretty late starting school at Alonso High this year - nearly two weeks late.

The 16-year-old junior was excused for his absence, though, because he was in Venezuela playing baseball in the Pan Am games. He was one of 18 Americans picked for a 16-and-under Youth National Team representing the United States.

The team went 9-0 and came home with the gold medal. Actually they dominated the baseball tournament.

Back at home, Panteliodis has been a varsity player for the Alonso Ravens since his freshman season.

"We are all proud of Alex's success on the national team," Ravens coach Landy Faedo said.

"He has been a hard worker and excellent left-handed pitcher for us for two years. We hope he has a successful season with us in the spring."

Panteliodis was excited in talking about his experience on the national team.

"This was a once in a lifetime opportunity," he said. "Few athletes ever get an opportunity to represent the United States in international sports, especially baseball. Only five of the 18 players were from Florida."

Mychal Givens, a shortstop from Plant High, was also on the team.

Garye LaFevers of Arizona was the head coach for the young Americans. He spoke of the team in general and of Panteliodis specifically.

"Alex was an excellent help as a lefty and when he wasn't on the mound, he was doing everything he could to encourage his teammates and even helped carry equipment at times," LaFevers said.

The team's 9-0 mark was a new record, because it was the first to go undefeated. In those nine games, the USA scored 119 runs and gave up only 13.

"Three of our wins were shutouts, including a no-hitter," Panteliodis said. "The no-hitter was a new record also. Even though there were other shutouts, no other team had prevented an opponent from making a hit."

In addition to the atmosphere of international competition and representing his country, Panteliodis enjoyed the social time with athletes of other nationalities, both in the hotel lobby and off the field.

"We talked about baseball, school and social activities in their countries and ours," he said. "We also exchanged our USA pins for pins representing their countries. It made us appreciate our country and especially the quality fields and baseball equipment we have."

[Last modified September 21, 2006, 07:14:45]