Gainesville Cannons finish 9th in Dreams Park Tournament
Submitted photo by 10U Gainesville Cannons
The players for the 10U Gainesville Cannons travel baseball team pictured in front are Tanner Heltibridle, left, Carson Buss, Garrett Cook, Austin Gerber, Tyler Fetheroff, Hayden Lilek, Nick Rauber, Landon Avila, Nick Drury, Matt Scott, James Beasley, Shane buss and Tim Toureau; and in back coaches Troy Toureau, left, Bill Gerber, Kevin Rauber, Darren Drury and Carl Buss.
The 10U Gainesville Cannons travel baseball team finished ninth at the 10U Cooperstown, N. Y., Dreams Park Tournament June 14-19. There were 97 10 and under teams across the country participating in the tournament.
The week started with opening ceremonies which were followed by skills competition events. For the Cannons, Matt Scott tied for sixth in the Road Runner competition, a race around the bases. James Beasley participated in the Golden Arm, a throwing competition from centerfield to home plate and Landon Avila represented the Cannons in the King of Swat competition, the home run derby.
Tim Toureau, Nick Drury, Tanner Heltibridle, Garrett Cook, Austin Gerber, Tyler Fetheroff, Shane Buss, Hayden Lilek and Nick Rauber joined forces to compete in the Around the Horn competition, a race to throw the ball around the field from home to each position and back.
After the six game pool-play rounds on the first four days, the Cannons were ranked 22 of 97 with a 4-2 record, allowing an average of only 2.2 runs per game. The two losses were each by one run and each to a top five-seeded team—the Palm Dessert, Calif. Crush and the Nike West Palms, Fla. Cobras.
Carrying their momentum into the playoffs, the Cannons proceeded to win two tough games through several rain and fog delays, until losing to East Cobb, Ga., 3-0, in the Sweet Sixteen.
Overall, the Cannons outscored their opponents, 58 to 20, in nine games. The pitchers allowed a combined earned run average of 2.20. The team averaged 6.44 runs per game versus 2.22 runs allowed.
"We were told no one could compete with Florida and California and baseball powerhouses such as East Cobb, Ga. Well, we ended up ninth out of 97th. Not too band for a team made up of boys from Gainesville, Hay-market, Bristow, Manassas and Warrenton. I have never been prouder of this team. It is truly amazing the level of ball they play at such a young age," said Coach Troy Toureau.
Fireworks followed the closing ceremonies in which each player was inducted into the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame and received a Hall of Fame ring.
—Bennie Scarton Jr.
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