Lakewood Ranch Little League U10 All-Stars reach state tournament

They might be young, but they talk like big leaguers. 

The members of the Lakewood Ranch Little League U10 All-Star team are all business. In the dugout, conversation doesn't turn away from what is happening on the field. They're too busy scouting the opposition, looking for weak points they can turn into an advantage. 

Maybe that's why the team has been so successful. The team qualified for the Little League Florida State Tournament, held July 7-9 in Winter Garden. For this age group, the state tournament is as far as things go; there is no Little League World Series trip to Williamsport, or an equivalent, until they get older.

That being the case, the team treated the state tournament like it was the last tournament it would ever play, because for this specific group of players, it was. In the end, Lakewood Ranch did not win the state tournament, but Head Coach Wes Studi the players gave it everything they had. Studi said the team's effort and willingness to listen helped it reach the age group's top event.

"We play a lot of small ball," Studi said. "I ask these kids to bunt when they need to bunt. They steal a lot of bases. We push the envelope. We ask a lot of them. We try to make things happen. They've responded well. And when it comes down to two strikes, we know how to put the ball in play." 

Photo by Ryan Kohn

It's not a typical path to All-Star success. Usually, successful teams have a few (or many) dominant hitters, and they let those kids swing away. Bunting does not usually fall into the equation in a major way. But when a team is as disciplined as Lakewood Ranch is, and can execute small ball tactics with consistency, that strategy can overcome teams with more powerful lineups if those teams make mistakes. 

On the mound, things have also been unusual. Studi said the team's pitchers are not the kind to rack up strikeouts with high-velocity fastballs or breaking balls that drop off a cliff. They simply throw strikes, Studi said, and trust the defense behind them to clean up anything that lands in play.

"We're playing (solid) defense and we're getting outs," Studi said. "We make the plays we are supposed to make." 

When you listen to the kids talk, you understand how this team got it done — not by being athletically superior, but by treating every pitch with the same focus and getting the little details right. 

An infectious attitude helps, too.  

"Playing with your teammates is fun, and these guys are great teammates," said Trey Studi, who is Wes Studi's son. "Winning is fun, too. I really like winning. That's been my favorite part." 

Trey Studi said he is always studying the opposing pitcher when not hitting or playing the field, trying to get a feel for his velocity and the types of pitches he throws, and how often he throws them. High school teams can struggle to pay that much attention to a game, let alone Little Leaguers. It says a lot about the maturity of the team that the players have bought in to the sport on that level. 

Another factor?

"Hustle," Zachary McMillin said. "That's an important one." 

The team's determination might not have brought home a state title, but the run to the tournament was filled with moments no one involved will soon forget. Trey Studi said his favorite play was a line drive double that he drilled into the outfield gap during the sectional tournament against Saint Petersburg Little League. McMillin said his favorite moments were all the times he played catcher, getting to lead the defense. 

For the team's first-year head coach, Lakewood Ranch's run to states brought out a lot of pride in his players, both for their play and their dedication to the game.

"To say I was unsure if we would get this far is an understatement," Wes Studi said. "But these kids have responded. From the time we started practice a month ago to now, you would not recognize them. They have made humongous strides. It's all baseball for them. When I say we have a 6 p.m. practice, there are seven kids here at 5:15 to get in some extra work. When I say we have two practices a week, they want three or four."

Lakewood Ranch should be proud of its accomplishments. Falling short of a state title is not a failure when you make so many individual strides. I never played in an All-Star tournament like this one when I was a ball player, but I did play in All-Star games. I remember well the feeling of being among that group of players and wanting to prove myself against them. In that regard, Lakewood Ranch proved itself to be among the state's elite youngsters, and I bet they'll have a shot to return to states next year in U11 ball.