Younger kids get their time to shine

By CHRIS WAGENHEIM
Published June 22, 2007

For Cody Nunamacher and a lot of young players, this weekend's District 12, 9-10 All-Star game in Safety Harbor is a chance to emerge from older shadows.

"This will definitely build up their self-esteem, " manager Dave Grabowski said. "A lot of these players played minimally during the season due to teams stacked with 11- and 12-year-olds."

A lot of kids, like Nunamacher, are used to filling gaps and playing the supporting role to other boys chosen to lead their teams. Nunamacher played with Tyler Hawks, Blaize Grabowski and Harrison Keslar, the hotshots on the West Pasco White Sox. Others on the All-Star team have similar stories and look forward to staking their claims.

Grabowski said he wants his kids to have fun and enjoy the moment. If they win this weekend, they advance to sectionals in Dunedin on July 13. Beyond sectionals are the state finals, then the Southeast regional finals.

"This is so meaningful to them, " Grabowski said. "They are representing their town and their area; all of West Pasco."

Grabowski said Nunamacher is one of those kids who will do what you want him to do when you want him to without fail.

"On the All-Star team, whatever his role is, he is going to do it, " Grabowski said. "He loves being on this team."

Though these kids come from different teams and played different roles during the season, Grabowski said they are developing chemistry.

They have been practicing two weeks and are getting to know each other.

"I make them play catch with a different kid every night, " Grabowski said. "Just so they can look at each other face to face."

Grabowski said he expects his team to play hard and he is excited about this weekend.

"In All-Stars you have a complete team, during the season a team may have two to three standout players, but in All-Stars each team has 12 strong players, " Grabowski said.

[Last modified June 21, 2007, 21:43:02]