Sarasota Athlete of the Week: 07.20.17

Alec Boot-Handford, 15, pitches and plays first base for the 13-15 Sarasota All-Stars Babe Ruth team. In the July 14 championship game, a 4-1 win against South Orlando on July 16, he pitched a complete game and picked up the win.

How long have you been playing baseball?

I started when I was 3. They put little plastic balls on a tee, and we used those thick plastic bats. We just hit the ball and ran the bases, ran backwards if we wanted to. After that, it just became part of my life. Ever since then, I've played Cal Ripken, did machine pitch, started doing kid pitch, and now I am playing Babe Ruth. 

What other sports do you play?

I play basketball for my school (The Classical Academy of Sarasota), and I throw the football with friends around the yard.

What is your best skill as a baseball player?

Pitching. Particularly my fastball, four-seam. I like to throw that on the outside corner away from hitters. 

What is your favorite baseball memory?

I'd say when I was 8. I hit my first ball actually out of the park, in practice at Cal Ripken Sarasota. I ended up hitting five in one night. It was funny because on the second one, I hit someone's car, and he came over and yelled at us, and then moved his car. On the fifth one, I ended up hitting the same car after he had moved it. That was pretty funny to me.

What are some goals you have for yourself?

This year, our main goal is to make it back to the (Babe Ruth) World Series and win. Last year, we made it and got knocked out before the finals. It would mean a lot to us and to our coaches to get back this year. I want to keep playing high school ball, try and make varsity. Try to go to an NCAA Division 1 school for baseball, if I can. Then, if I'm good enough, try to go pro.

What is your favorite TV show?

I watch a lot of TV with my dad, (Alan Boot-Handford) it's hard to pick one. It would probably be "The Flash."

What is your dream vacation spot?

I've always wanted to go to England to visit my family. My dad and sister (Ava Boot-Handford) just got back. I'd want to go and do a tour and then have some time with family. 

What hobbies do you have?

I like swimming with my dog, Sasha (a black mouth cur). I like hanging out with friends, going to movies. I'm picking up on golf lately, as well. 

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

My dad, he's always saying, "Never put off to tomorrow what you could do today." That's always with me. 

Finish this sentence: "Alec Boot-Handford is ... "

... A nice guy. I don't know, the guys on my team, they like to mess around and everything. I usually don't get into it. I try to focus more on the practice or the game, more than what's going on in the dugout.