East Bay Little League All-Stars Advance to State Competition

News Report

The East Bay Little League Junior All-Star Baseball Team has advanced to state competition after defeating Manatee, New Tampa and Plant City.

East Bay is the only team remaining in competitions from District 13 and this is the first time in more than 20 years league has made it this far.

So far during the All-Star season, Easy Bay has been undeafted in the District 13 Tournament and is just finishing undefeatd in the Sectional (4) Tournament.

Many of the team members have played on the same travel team as well as Little League together and on opposing teams throughout the years.

"They have always been the top players on their Little League teams and it has always been fun to coach and watch them compete against each other," said Ted Leslie, who has coached a number of the boys over the years. "Then to watch them come together durng All-Stars and playing as teammates has been very rewarding."

A number of the boys played on the Junior All-Star team last year as 13-year-olds and finished one run away (by tie-breaker rule) from advancing to the state championships.

"Since the All-Star season began June 15, they have been determined to advance farther than they did last year," said Leslie.

The team is managed by Frank Reynoso and coached by Larry Fish and Chad Metzer.

Players are Sage Sheridan, Matt Leslie, Bailey Neer, Travis Reynoso, Brendan Mafnas, Anthony Nelson, Joshua Metzer, Jacob Metzer, Jordan Leasure, K.C. Forward, Curtis Mitchell and Zachary Stenbeck.