Bama Boomslang Cooperstown Elite 8

Out of 104 total teams, Vestavia Hills’ own Bama Boomslang made it to the Elite 8 at Cooperstown Dreams Park in Cooperstown, N.Y. In what many consider one of the best finishes in Vestavia Hills youth baseball history, the team’s performance represented the perfect ending to an outstanding season.

 R.J. Brooks hit the team’s only grand slam.  While Garrison Cherry had the most innings pitched, Carter Gill was back in the catcher position for 86 percent of the innings played that week.  As Luke Couch played second base, the fans chuckled as the 6-foot-5 Latino baserunner patted Luke on top of his head. Pete Dazzio played every position on the field and was next in line to coach.  Heavy fog did not stop Wells Dutton from making an unbelievable catch in the outfield when most everyone else lost sight of the ball. Eston Hall and Jonathan Hand led the team in home runs with seven each for the week. Nate Nailen’s pin-trading and negotiating skills were second to none. Ringing up the highest number of putouts was Eric Schroeder.  And, Mason Yancey entertained the team as the “dancing machine.”

Months before this week arrived, Bama Boomslang had various fundraisers to financially support the trip. Players and parents participated in a car wash, yard sale, lemonade stands and barbecue sale.  Months before this week arrived, the coaches led practices and weekend tournaments.  As the week progressed, players, coaches and parents understood how all the previous months’ preparation had paid off.  It was no longer the dream of reaching Cooperstown Dreams Park – it was the reality.  They were in the moment.  And, what a precious moment it was.

Head coach Danny Brooks and assistants Matt Hall, Greg Cherry and Stephen Gill led the team. Other assistants included Jonathan Hand as the BP coach, Tommy Dazzio, who kept the team’s score book and handled the finances, and other barrack dads Chuck Schroeder, Craig Yancey and Kevin Couch, who helped with logistics. Scott Nailen was the expert statistician while Meg Nailen was capturing the moments of fun and excitement on camera for all to enjoy for years to come. Lea Dutton handled all required paperwork.

-Submitted by Nelda Brooks