New Tampa Little League All-Stars Win State Championship, 6-1

Coach Ed Thinger was all smiles today after the New Tampa Little League All-Star boys won the state championship. The offense dominated the Kendall team 6-1 in the final game Monday morning.

To win the final, Conor Grady kept Kendall at bay, only giving away two hits and throwing 11 strikeouts.

“The New Tampa boys really represented this weekend,” Thinger said.

The team was competing for state in pool style play Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Coral Springs, and had to go 2-1 or 3-0 to advance to the finals.

Friday’s game ended in a win for New Tampa against Palma Ceia 10-4, and the team continued to improve throughout the weekend, Thinger said.

“Saturday we lost to the Kendall-Miami team 11-1, but we knew that we wanted to hold our good pitching for the afternoon game,” he said.

The strategy worked, and Thinger said they won the Saturday afternoon game 6-5. Sunday the team won 5-1 against Niceville.

At the end of the day, the boys are still focused on their goal, which is competing in the Little League Southeast Regional Tournament in Warner Robins, GA, this week. It starts on Friday, Aug. 5. If they win, the team will advance to the televised Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

How to Help

To help with fundraising for the team and its travels, and to meet your favorite players, go to on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard across from Wharton High School, from 6-8 p.m on Wednesday, Aug. 3.