THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 27, 1995 TAG: 9507260146
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
AT LAST WEEKEND'S North Sectional Colt baseball tournament at John Yeates field, Little Creek American topped Kempsville Blue, 6-1, in the final. Bennett's Creek had lost their first two games in the double elimination tournament - heartbreaking losses of 2-1 to Western Branch and 5-4 to Great Bridge.
But excuse Bennett's Creek Baseball Association officials if they aren't upset about their team's performance at the tournament, which is several steps from the Little League World Series.
``The tournament was very important for us,'' President John Little said. ``We've been striving to host tournaments to help the league get recognized. It's an honor that's not just given to anyone.''
Hosting a tournament is something the BCBA didn't envision when the league was formed in the spring of 1992. A number of improvements have made it a respectable part of the area's Pony league baseball.
``We've been able to get A-1 facilities (at John Yeates),'' league secretary Steve Seger said. ``The improvements of the field have been excellent. It's taken a lot of work and maintenance.''
Improvements began in 1993 with the addition of an electronic scoreboard and a public address system. The following year a grass infield was added and the rave reviews haven't stopped since.
``We had about 200 people each night of this year's tournament (and) we were highly complimented by a lot of them,'' Seger said. ``Most of the people here for the first time said it was one of the best places they've ever played in. As far as I know, it's the only Colt baseball field with a grass infield in the area.''
A batting cage is expected to be added before next season.
``It will give the kids a nice place to come to play and practice and make it a complete facility,'' Seger said.''
According to Little, the improvements were instrumental in the BCBA's success.
``In 1992, nobody knew where Bennett's Creek was,'' the second-year president said. ``Now we've hosted two tournaments in the last two years, and have been asked to host another one next year. We're pleased.''
Last year, Bennett's Creek hosted the eight-team District 1 Pony All-Star tournament before hosting the Colt tournament last weekend. Little said he wasn't sure which tournament the league would elect to host next year.
``It will be another good chance for us to be recognized by everyone else,'' Little said.
Despite new additions to the field and receiving a lot of recognition, the BCBA got a blow in an important area - the number of players. The league boasted five Pony (13- and 14-year-olds) and 2 Colt (15-16) teams in its first year. This season, Bennett's Creek had only two Pony teams and one Colt team.
``Next year, we expect quite a few players to join us from little league so we can get back to where we were before,'' Little said.
Seger said getting more teams will be vital for the BCBA.
``We hope we can show the community that Bennett's Creek is a respectable baseball association,'' he said. ``We want to try to instill in the players coming up that Pony league is a real good steppingstone for high school baseball.''
Seger added that Bennett's Creek officials don't expect a lot of praise for their efforts.
``You have to do this for personal satisfaction,'' he said. ``Like with any volunteer position, if you're doing it to get praise, you might as well not be doing it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
Bennett's Creek second baseman John Little fires the ball to first
base during the Pony league sectionals.
Bennett's Creek pitcher Grayson Craun winds up for a throw to the
plate during a North Sectional Colt tournament game against Western
Branch.
by CNB