High expectations for great teams are commonplace in sports.
This summer in Plant City, the team that has the highest expectations set on them is a group of 12-year-old boys.
The Plant City Little League 11-12 All-Stars enter this season after advancing as far as possible the past two years, winning the district, sectional and state tournaments before winning the Tournament of State Champions against other state champs from Southeastern states.
This year, if the youngsters keep up their winning ways, they’ll be going to South Williamsport, Pa., to compete in the Little League World Series on national television.
“Our motto this year is ‘one team, one goal’ and that goal is reaching the Little League World Series,” head coach T.J. Messick said. “Once we get there, anything is possible.”
Before Williamsport dreams can become a reality, the team will have to again make it through district, sectionals, state and then win the Southeastern Regional in Warner Robins, Ga.
“We’re going to take it one game at a time until we can’t go any further,” Messick said. “That was our approach the past two years, and we accomplished it.”
The team’s journey will begin in the District 4 tournament this weekend, in Auburndale.
FRESH FACES
The team not only returns all 11 players from 2012 but also welcomes two newcomers in Tommy Johnson and Jacob Smith.
The additions come after a new rule change by Little League that requires teams with 12 or fewer players to give increased minimum playing time for all players. By taking on two extra players, the rules require only that every player gets at least one at-bat per game, with no defensive requirements.
“When I heard about the new rule change, I knew right away that we were going to carry 13 players,” Messick said. “It gives us more freedom and allows us to put our best defense on the field at all times.”
For Johnson and Smith, they said they are excited to be a part of the team and are not intimidated by being the newcomers.
“I’ve been friends with these kids throughout the season and played with some of them, so I know them all and they’ve welcomed me in,” Johnson said.
For Smith, one of his goals is to make it to Williamsport, so assistant coach Casey Christian will wear his hat flat-billed, a bet he made with the team.
“Our goal is to make it to Williamsport, and I want to go just to go, but honestly, I want to see coach Casey wear a flat bill,” Smith said.
STACKED WITH TALENT
Along with the new additions, this year’s team features plenty of versatile talent.
“Everyone on our team pitched in some capacity with their Little League team,” Messick said. “We should be very strong defensively.”
Andrew Long will be one of the key pitchers for Plant City this summer. Considered the “most dominating pitcher in Little League this year” by Messick, Long will look to have another strong All-Star season.
Although defense and pitching will be its strong suit, Plant City should have no issues with putting runs on the board. The team hit 16 home runs last All-Star season, but the boys hit a combined 68 home runs for their respective Little League teams this spring.
Dylan Robinson led the league this year with 12 home runs.
“We’re really excited about the chance to go to Williamsport, but know we have some things to take care of before we are able to go,” Robinson said.
“We certainly have the power to hit it over the fence, but I’m trying to get the boys to not focus on that,” Messick said. “If all they are focused on is hitting home runs, it will hurt the team. Our focus is just going to be able to get hits and produce runs any way we can.”
MEMORABLE RIDE
When Messick took the reigns as the head coach of the 9-10 team two years ago, he didn’t know what to expect.
The previous 9-10 team had won district, but the bar hadn’t been set too high.
“I didn’t know what we had at the time,” he said. “If you had told me we were going to go all the way and win the Tournament of State Champions that year, I wouldn’t have believed you.”
Now, with two south region championships and World Series aspirations, Messick and his team are at the culmination of their Little League careers together.
“Watching these kids grow up the past few years has been special,” Messick said. “I’m proud of everything they’ve done, and I believe in each and every one of them.”
