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Sunday, July 27, 2008

Early practices help build Eastdale team's chemistry and help it to return to the regional tournament

By Glen Rosales
For the Journal
          LOS LUNAS — Mornings rolled around for the Eastdale Little League Major All-Stars somewhat earlier than for most teams.
        The team held two-a-day practices, with the morning sessions beginning between 6 and 6:30.
        "Six was tough," said Eastdale pitcher Donny Sands. "But you get used to it. You have to make sure and get your rest."
        The strenuous training schedule must have worked because Sands tossed a no-hitter Saturday in the clinching game of the state tournament in a 9-0 win over Silver City at the Enchantment Little League fields in Los Lunas. He did benefit from the standard official scorer's practice, which is to make sure the first hit of any game is a clean one, but nevertheless, Sands was dominant with 12 strikeouts and four comebackers.
        The only ball that even reached the outfield was one hit by Derek Salas that shortstop Reed Cunningham got a glove on, but couldn't control.
        Eastdale, which has been the dominant Little League program in the state, returns to the Majors regional tournament in Waco, Texas, for the first time since 2005 and only the second time since a record five consecutive state titles ended with the 2001 season. This is the Little League that has produced professional players such as James Parr and Jordan Pacheco.
        Manager Rick Calvert said he tried to stress to the players the importance of that legacy.
        "We always try to talk about the players and teams that have gone before," he said. "We told them that we need to get back to that tradition."
        It was a message the players heard loud and clear.
        "We need to play like they did," Sands said, adding he sees players like Parr and Pacheco as role models. "I hope to be doing that someday. If I keep practicing and working hard, it might happen."
        The performance Saturday proved that the effort the players, coaches and even parents put in was worth it, said Catherine Cunningham, Reed's mother.
        "It takes this type of dedication and you know that going in," she said. "You know you've got to be there every day, sometimes two times a day."
        The players weren't especially thrilled by the early-morning practices.
        "It gets tough on your body," said Connor Calvert, the son of the manager. "But you get used to it."
        Calvert, who helped spark Eastdale with a two-run homer in the second inning, said it took some of the players a little longer to adjust.
        "Coach would hit us some grounders and that would wake us up," he said.
        The early morning practices were necessary to help the players merge as a team, manager Calvert said.
        "The guys all play on different teams so this helps get them together," he said. "We work on our signals and getting everybody on the same page."
        Calvert realizes the commitment can be difficult, but when he sees the players cavorting on the field in the celebration, it's all worth it.
        "No one likes to get up early," he said. "Even the coaches sometimes. But we know it helps the process."
        And the team has had plenty of success in the past as this is its third consecutive state championship, the elder Calvert said.
        "I think that helps them," he said. "That game experience is very important. These guys have played in a high number of all-state games."
        Sands is one of those players that has been along for most of the ride, and his mound presence was evident early.
        "I just tried to hit my spots," he said. "It was just a lot of hard work by everybody on the team."