Little Leaguer swings for the fence

LAKEWOOD RANCH — As he trotted out onto the diamond for the first time, Kareem Lewis was instantly hit with a wave of nervous emotion.

The then-third-grader looked around in awe at the crowd that had begun to form around the ballpark. It was the first time Lewis had played in front of a crowd. Within a matter of moments, the crowd erupted in celebration, as Lewis, his teammates and their opponents officially welcomed the new season.

It’s been three years since Lewis first stepped out onto the diamond, and while he didn’t know what to think at first, the Braden River Little Leaguer admits the number of people watching him play no longer fazes him.

“I was really nervous the first time because it was the first time I played in front of a crowd; but since I’ve been doing it so long now, I don’t really care,” Lewis said.

Lewis may no longer be fazed by the crowd’s reaction, but that hasn’t stopped the Lee Middle School sixth-grader from giving it plenty to cheer about.

Lewis hit four home runs for Braden River’s A/C Warehouse in the first three games of the Majors Division of the Manatee County Cup, which ran May 16 through June 4.

Lewis opened up the tournament with his first grand slam against Manatee West’s USA Fence.

“I was excited because it was the first time I ever hit one like that,” Lewis said. “I usually just hit a single or a double when the bases are loaded — never a grand slam.”

Lewis followed up his grand slam with a home run against Buffalo Creek’s Bay Area Insurance to wrap up pool play. The Braden River utility player then hit a pair of home runs — his first time hitting two home runs in the same game — in A/C Warehouse’s first single elimination game against USA Fence May 25.

“I was, like, it’s about time,” Lewis said of his two home runs.

In addition to his two home runs, Lewis also pitched a complete game shutout, propelling A/C Warehouse to a 14-0 victory.

“Kareem is a team leader,” coach David Kastor said. “All of the kids respect him. Any park you go to, all of the kids know him and look up to him. They have a lot of respect for him.”

Lewis began playing baseball when he was in third grade after deciding not to continue playing football.

“At first I wanted to play football; but I didn’t like the coach, so I started playing baseball,” Lewis said.

Lewis has spent much of the past year at the ballpark working on his hitting. With the help of his coaches, Lewis improved his stance and has seen tremendous success at the plate as a result.

“I have to give it to the coaches,” Lewis said. “They’ve helped me hit (better). I really like hitting because I like making the pitcher mad, and when I’m hitting I can help the team score runs.”

Now with the Manatee County Cup behind him, Lewis will begin preparing for the upcoming All-Star season where he’s expected to make his third consecutive All-Star team.

“It’s a great feeling,” Lewis said of being an All-Star. “I’m glad I’m going to be an All-Star.”

Eventually, Lewis has aspirations of becoming a professional baseball player and following in the footsteps of his favorite player, Mark Teixeira.

“He’s a good player and he inspires me to play,” Lewis said. “This year in All-Stars I’m picking his number.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].