AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL: Building for the future

Coronado looks for playoff spot in regional tourney

LOUIE TRAUB/VIEWMarcos Rivera, left, of Coronado High School?s American Legion junior baseball team, tries to tag out Faith Lutheran?s J.B. Eary during a July 10 game at Coronado High School. Coronado started the season by winning its first 16 games. Advertisement

It's been a hot summer, but no one on Coronado's American Legion Junior League baseball team seems to mind.

The Cougars virtually have been unbeatable over the past two months, and it appears their hard work will land them a spot in the Mid-States Regional Juniors Tournament, to be held Aug. 2-6 in Jennings, La.

Coach Tim Oakley, whose team won its first 16 games to start the season, said he is not surprised by the success.

"From tryouts, I knew we would be good," said Oakley, whose players range from 13 to 16 years old. "But we're really not playing to try to win a Junior Legion championship. That would be a bonus, but we're trying to lay a foundation so these guys can (one day) make a run at the varsity level and maybe win a state title."

Despite above-average summer temperatures, Oakley's squad has shown the work ethic necessary to take a step toward achieving those goals.

"Most of these kids have played year-round since they were 8," he said. "So this is just another season. They live and die to play baseball, so heat isn't really a factor."

Pitcher/right fielder Zane Korth, who will be a freshman in the fall, echoed Oakley's sentiments.

"I just love playing baseball," said Korth, who tossed a no-hitter in a 10-0 victory over Faith Lutheran on July 10. "I play baseball every summer. I've played all-stars in the past, so now I'm playing Legion."

Infielder Weston Miller, who will be a sophomore next month, also repeated the philosophies of his coach. He noted that an appearance in the regional tourney would be viewed as an opportunity.

"I'm not worried about winning it," Miller said. "I'm looking more for the experience. We'll play some good teams, and it will be a chance to see how good I need to get."

Oakley admitted that his team will be viewed as an underdog against the tournament's older, more experienced teams, but he reiterated that his squad is progressing according to plans.

"My job is to prepare these guys to win a (varsity) state title," Oakley said. "I'm trying to get them to buy into some old-school ways of thinking. I really think they're buying into it, and even their parents are buying into it."

The American Legion will pay travel expenses to Louisiana, so the Cougars have nothing to lose.

"It will give us a chance to build team unity," Oakley said. "I'm really trying to get everyone to buy into the team aspect of the game."