Cobras hit it big away from home

      Most youth athletic teams that desire better competition travel frequently to out-of-state tournaments.
      However, one Southern Nevada baseball team went a step further.
      The Cobras, a 3-year-old team formed in 1995 by manager Mark Stearns, actually joined the 1998 Southern California Protect Our Nation's Youth Winter Baseball League.
      Not only did they join, the Cobras won the league title, beating defending champion Inland Empire Stars. That title came after the Cobras won the Henderson Baseball Association's 14-and-under season-ending tournament.
      "It's been a long road ... it's been an uphill battle from Day One, and it's a great feeling," Stearns said. "It was fun getting up in the morning and travelling down there. They played a lot of competitive baseball and they really loved it. The parental support was great and everybody had fun."
      The Cobras have competed for several years against some of the tougher local and regional teams, but just recently began showing success.
      "The main reason for us starting this team was to play competitive baseball," Stearns said. "It's been fun. ... It gave the kids an opportunity to play at a different level."
      Said assistant coach Kirk Cresto: "Basically, the only real baseball program that exists today is Little League baseball. If you go to competitive areas in the country -- California, Texas, Florida, areas that are a little more developed -- you can see those are more refined athletic programs for the youth. There are more alternatives. In Las Vegas, basically all there is is Little League."
      So in an effort to play higher caliber teams, the Cobras joined the Southern California-based league and traveled just about every weekend to participate against some of the best competitive baseball teams in Southern California.
      The Cobras are members of the American Amateur Baseball Congress, a national competitive association that follows Major League Baseball rules and is the largest amateur baseball organization in the United States for players above junior baseball age. It's also the only amateur baseball program that provides progressive and continuous organized competition.
      The AABC is coordinated with other programs through USA Baseball and the American Baseball Coaches Association.
      The Cobras' season began on Labor Day weekend and concluded after Thanksgiving, with the team playing three to six games a week.
      The team was led by co-captains Kenny Sherwood, a pitcher/third baseman who's a freshman at Silverado High School, and Bryce Cresto, a second baseman who will attend Durango next year.
      Sherwood paced the team with his powerful arm, while Cresto maintained consistency as the team's No. 2 batter.
      "They brought a level of experience and commitment to excellence to achieve both academically and athletically," Kirk Cresto said. "Without those two players, the Cobras would not have been able to fulfill their vision."
      Outstanding leadership was also provided by Palo Verde freshman Brandon Kintzler, who occasionally starred for the team on the mound as well as at catcher and shortstop, and Eldorado freshman Mario Ramos, a center fielder/pitcher who provided quickness and accuracy from both sides of the plate.
      "Each of them were driven to success through attention to detail," Cresto said. "They simply found losing unacceptable. They completed us with their desire."
      Other members of the Cobras are Sunrise residents Jorge Garcia, Marcel Benson and Matt Hilliard; Northern residents Joshua Fausto and Pat Caldwell; Southeast residents Robert Ashworth and Josh Miller; Summerlin resident Mark Stearns; and Southwest resident Austin Stout.
      The Cobras have roster openings for the Spring 1999 season. Players who have not reached their 15th birthday by July 31, 1999 are eligible. If interested, call 281-1644.