U13 HPFL Red Rockies have strong showing at year-end tournament
By Spencer Seymour
The St. Marys Kinsmen Club U13 HPFL Red St. Marys Rockies ended their season on a high with a third-place finish at the Year-End Tournament in Cambridge Aug. 7-9.
Head coach Amber Wakem called the team’s weekend “the best baseball we’ve seen them play all year.”
“They were turning double plays, taking risks with lead offs and stealing bases,” said Wakem. “They were standing strong at the plate with confidence which led to some huge hits this weekend. The excitement was unreal – myself included. They were so proud of themselves, but more importantly, each other.”
According to Wakem, the charge was led by strong play by the team’s pitchers and catchers.
“As a team, our girls played amazing but a special shoutout to our powerhouse pitchers, Ayla (Boemer), Abilene (Votary), and Jeanette (Black), and our fearless back catches, Cassie (Adams), Makeda (Campbell Cuero), and Aubrey (Forrester),” Wakem said. “The leadership and support we saw this weekend was everything I could have asked for as a coach and to say I am proud is an understatement.”
Wakem added that leadership and support shown by this squad is the most important trait they could have in her eyes.
“As a coach, leadership and support is everything. This isn’t just baseball. I’m not out on the field, so watching them work together this season and build such confidence in their play was incredible. At this age group, a lot of pressure lands on our back catchers and pitchers. They are strong leaders, but of course, it comes with challenges and the girls rallied around them when they were struggling to continue.”
The tournament, according to Wakem, saw many of the aspects the Rockies had been working on all season round into form during the tournament, marking an impressive step for the group of largely inexperienced ball players.
“We had all levels of players and some new faces this season, but that didn’t stop this team from building relationships and team bonding. I don’t think we ever ended a practice on time as these girls never wanted to stop. That dedication and bonding was everything.
“They were all open to constructive criticism and wanting to know what they could have done differently,” Wakem continued. “If there was a play they missed in a game, that is exactly what they wanted to work on during a practice. We saw that all come together this weekend.”
Though they didn’t have the most wins in their league during the season, Wakem said the group accomplished the most important aspect of the game – having fun with their teammates.
“I’ve always said my main goal is for these players to want to be here, to want to come to every practice and every game. There has to be a level of fun in this or what’s the point? Everything else came together once we built that strong relationship and showed them fun can absolutely be front and centre.”
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