Blue Wahoos Renovate Field At Bradberry Park In Walnut Hill
August 12, 2019
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos renovated a youth baseball field at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill
“I would say we have done pretty well, considering everything,” said Dustin Hannah, the Blue Wahoos head groundskeeper, who led an effort of a dozen co-workers of men and women, all of whom novices in baseball field repair.
Hannah’s direction, his patience, helped make the group effort so much easier.
Since the Blue Wahoos’ inaugural 2012 season, the team has made it a community service priority to each year help renovate a youth baseball field within the Escambia or Santa Rosa County area.
The day is chosen during a break in the home schedule. The field is chosen through nomination of youth baseball organizations providing a video, or photos of why a particular field needs help. The process is vetted through an on-site visit before a venue is chosen.
“It’s all part of us giving back to our community,” said Donna Kirby, the Blue Wahoos vice president of operations. “The first year (2012) we did a field in Pensacola near downtown and we’ve then gone throughout the area. Last year, we did a field in Century.
“In a way, it’s kind of our payback to the sport. These are little kids now who are playing baseball on these fields. And who knows if they will grow up continuing to play baseball, and there’s always that chance one of them can become a professional player and maybe play in Blue Wahoos Stadium.”
The field upgraded is used by the Cal Ripken-Babe Youth Baseball league, which has kids from Walnut Hill and nearby Bratt playing in various age groups.
“Any type of help for non-profits like ours is welcomed, especially with ballfields,” said Bonnie Maughon, board member with the league, whose son, Walker is a Tee-Ball player. “The income you get to run the games is all that you have. Any extra help you receive is a real blessing.”
The Blue Wahoos staff, which included Kirby and team president Jonathan Griffith all pitched in to help during two different work shifts.
“It’s just a big group effort to at least get it to where we’re at right now,” said Anna Striano, the Blue Wahoos merchandise manager who coordinated the community service project, during a lunch break. “And you want to leave it better than you found it.”
Hannah transported a small trailer with hand tools and power tools he uses on Admiral Fetterman Field at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“We had a lot of grass to take out in the infield area, but I think we’re good,” he said. “These (youth league) fields, it’s not as in-depth work than it would be on a professional field.”
Maughon said she was scrolling Facebook when she saw the Blue Wahoos notice reaching out to youth leagues for nominations on field renovation. Striano started the process in June, then chose Bradberry Park in late July.
“I was really looking for ways to get help,” Maughon said. “We’re very thankful to be chosen. It’s very special. The fields are maintained by volunteers and it’s not easy.
“This year our president said we have enough kids for three T-Ball teams, but we needed one more volunteer coach to do it. And my husband stepped up.”
Hannah will follow up with the league’s director with tips on how to maintain the fields. It’s been done each year with various other fields the Blue Wahoos have helped to renovate.
It’s part of the team’s mission statement to improve the quality of life in Pensacola and the surrounding area. The field renovation was another way to help make that happen.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Hold Chowdown; Announce Crimson And Blue Bowl
August 9, 2019
Over 300 people attended the Tate Football Chowdown Thursday night.
Football players and their families enjoyed a meal provided by the Church of Christ at Milestone as head coach Jay Lindsey previewed the upcoming season.
The Crimson and Blue Bowl was announced for October 5. It will be a big rivalry game between the Cantonment Cowboys and the Ensley Chiefs in Pete Gindl Stadium.
It was also announced that “53″ Aggie Strong shirts honoring Sean Banks will be sold in the Aggie Shack during games. Proceeds will benefit a football scholarship.
Pictures: Scenes from the Tate Aggie Chowdown Thursday night. Photos by Jennifer Repine for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Boom Night’ – Midnight Practice Gets Northview Players Fired Up For Football Season
August 3, 2019
Are you ready for some football?
At 12:01 a.m. Saturday, the stadium lights were on and the excitement of the upcoming football season was definitely in the humid air as the Northview Chiefs hit the wet grass of Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
Welcome to “Boom Night”, Chiefs style.
Saturday was the first legal day for contact and full gear under FHSAA rules. And Northview Coach Derek Marshman was wasting no time.
It’s only a couple of weeks before preseason games in Florida.
For a “Boom Night” photo gallery, click here.
Coming up next week on NorthEscambia.com, we’ll introduce you to the captains of the 2019 Northview Chiefs, and we’ll learn what Marshman had to say after Boom Night about the upcoming season.
The Chiefs hit the road August 16 for a kickoff classic game at Baker. They will be at home to open the regular season on August 23 against Lighthouse Christian.
Down the road in Cantonment, the Tate Aggies travel to Pace on August 16 for a kickoff classic before Pensacola High visits Pete Gindl Stadium on on August 23.
Pictured: “Midnight Madness” — the season’s first full contact practice that began at 12:01 a.m. Saturday at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flomaton’s 3A Back Of The Year Da’Quan Johnson Commits To Troy
August 3, 2019
Flomaton High School senior Da’Quane Johnson announced Friday on social media that he has committed to the Troy Trojans as a safety.
Johnson led the Flomaton Hurricanes to the 3A station championship last season, playing mostly quarterback. He was named Alabama’s 3A Back of the Year.
“First, I would like to thank GOD for giving me the ability to play this sport! Without him I wouldn’t have the blessing I have now,” Johnson said in his announcement. “I also want to thank my head coach for helping me through this process and for being a great male figure in my life! From taking me to camps, making sure I’m accountable for anything I do, and for teaching me how to be a better man! Also a big thank you to all the coaches that believed in me to play at the next level, but at the end it comes down to One school that I feel like I can be the best I possibly can be and that is at Troy University.”
Last season for Flomaton, he completed 93-of-177 passes for 1,965 yards and 23 TDs. He rushed for 2,411 yards and 30 TDs on 304 carries, according to AL.com. In the championship game against Piedmont, Johnson carried the ball 43 times — a Super 7 record — and was named MVP. He also made 37 tackles on defense last season and had four interceptions.
Flomaton Coach Doug Vickery said Johnson picked Troy over South Alabama, Southern Miss, UAB, Tulane, Army, Florida Atlantic and others.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Wahoos Stop The Jumbo Shrimp 1-0
July 31, 2019
On a night when Jacksonville’s stadium was virtually empty, the scoreboard was filled with zeroes, the Blue Wahoos reversed the previous game’s storyline with their 1-0 win against the Jumbo Shrimp.
Only two fans, Josh Ribeiro Sr. and his son Josh Ribeiro Jr., watched the game in a special partnership with Dreams Come True of Jacksonville. It is a wish granting organization and the wish Josh Ribeiro Jr. wanted.
Like any other game, The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville was staffed with concessions, food and drink vendors walking the ballpark, team promotion staff and the press box.
But only the Ribeiros were in the stands.
The official attendance was listed at 2 in the recorded box score, setting a Southern League all-time record. In this case, however, it was by design.
The special game experience, entitled “Literal 2 For Tuesday,” was sponsored by Community First Credit Union of Jacksonville and the Dreams Come True foundation.
The Blue Wahoos’ win, one night after a 1-0 loss, clinched the team’s first road series win since May 15 when the Blue Wahoos won three of five games against the Chattanooga Lookouts, now the Cincinnati Reds affiliate. The Blue Wahoos (57-51 overall) and Jumbo Shrimp (50-58) conclude their series Wednesday night.
The Ribeiros watched both teams’ pitching staffs dominate for a second consecutive night.
The Blue Wahoos’ Edwar Colina, making his third start since being promoted from Advance-A Fort Myers Miracle on July 11, had his second consecutive outing without allowing a run.
Colina (2-0) worked 5.2 innings, giving up just three hits, one walk and striking out seven batters to earn a second straight win. He’s now pitched 12.2 scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 1.08.
Colina was followed by relievers Gabriel Moya, who earned his second hold, and Alex Phillips, who picked up his third save. The duo combined for 3.1 perfect innings, facing the minimum 10 batters.
Moya struck out former Blue Wahoos star Lewin Diaz to end the sixth inning with Jacksonville’s Anfernee Seymour stranded at third base.
Diaz, traded Saturday to the Miami Marlins organization in a deal that sent Marlins’ veteran major league reliever Sergio Romo to the Minnesota Twins, continued to struggle since switching dugouts in Jacksonville. Diaz went 0-for-4 and has not had a hit since joining the Jumbo Shrimp.
In the ninth inning, Phillips struck out Diaz for the game’s final out.
The game’s only run was provided by Blue Wahoos’ first baseman Ryan Costello, who smashed a one-out, solo homer in the fifth inning. The Blue Wahoos were held to four hits, Jacksonville had three in an identical box score reversal from Monday’s game.
Trevor Larnach, Jimmy Kerrigan and Jordan Gore had the Blue Wahoos’ other three hits, all singles.
The Jumbo Shrimp received outstanding games from starter Kolton Mahoney (4-1), who went six complete innings, allowing the three hits, three walks and striking out four, along with relievers Jordan Guerrero and Chad Smith, who allowed just one hit, one walk in the last three innings.
The Blue Wahoos win, coupled by the Biloxi Shuckers’ loss Tuesday, moved Pensacola (19-19 second half) to within four games in the second half chase in the South Division. The Blue Wahoos lead the Mississippi Braves by 4.5 games in the overall standings for second-best record.
If Biloxi wins both half-season division crowns, the second-best team makes the playoffs.
The Blue Wahoos will open a five-game homestand Thursday against the Birmingham Barons, the Chicago White Sox affiliate, who are battling for the North Division title, trailing the Montgomery Biscuits.
Carter, Fleming Named Tate Varsity Cheer Captains
July 30, 2019
Bailey Carter (pictured left) and Shelby Fleming have been named Tate High School varsity cheer captains for the 2019-2020 season. They are seen with their state championship rings from last season. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Seven-Game Win Streak Ends In Pitching Duel
July 30, 2019
With his latest gem, Miami Marlins top prospect Sixto Sanchez put a chill Monday night to the Blue Wahoos’ hot bats and season-best win streak.
Sanchez, 20-year-old right-hander with a rising future, worked six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, for a second consecutive shutout outing, this one leading the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to a 1-0 victory against the Blue Wahoos at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
The result ended the Blue Wahoos seven-game win streak despite getting outstanding pitching of their own.
Bryan Sammons, who allowed just three hits and a run in 4.2 innings, absorbed the hard-luck loss. Relievers Anthony Vizcaya and Tom Hackimer followed Sammons and yielded just one hit, no walks.
For the first time in a week, the Blue Wahoos were unable to supply enough offense.
They were held to just three hits, one of those a double by newcomer shortstop Royce Lewis, the Minnesota Twins’ consensus top overall prospect.
In a strange twist, Lewin Diaz, who began the series Saturday with the Blue Wahoos (56-51 overall) as their popular first baseman, then was traded to the Marlins organization during Saturday’s game, played first base Monday for the Jumbo Shrimp. He went 0-for-4 in the game, his first as opposing player.
Diaz was part of a trade that sent Miami Marlins’ top reliever Sergio Romo to the Twins, along with minor league pitching prospect Chris Vallimont, in exchange for the left-handed, power-hitting Diaz.
When the trade was finalized Saturday, it happened right before Diaz was due up at the plate for the Blue Wahoos in the seventh inning. Knowing what was going on, Blue Wahoos’ Ivan De Jesus Jr., a major league veteran seeking to make a comeback, alertly grabbed a bat and stepped out to the plate as a pinch-hitter.
Diaz at that moment was suddenly ineligible to play for Pensacola. He was not in the lineup Sunday for Jacksonville.
Sanchez (7-4, 2.96 ERA), the No. 1 rated Marlins prospect by MLB Pipeline, allowed just two hits and a walk in his outing. It followed a seven-inning shutout he weaved six days earlier against the first place Biloxi Shuckers.
Two Jumbo Shrimp relievers, Tommy Eveld and Dylan Lee followed. They combined to allow just one hit, one walk. Lee picked up his 12th save.
The game’s only run occurred in the first inning when Jumbo Shrimp designated hitter smacked a solo homer off Sammons.
In the final five innings, the Blue Wahoos had two baserunners. In the seventh, Mark Contreras led off with a walk, but was thrown out on a steal attempt at second base. In the ninth, Trevor Larnach hit a one-out single, but Lee got Ryan Jeffers to pop out and struck out Contreras to end the game.
The teams will continue the series Tuesday night.
Tate Soccer Holds Summer Camp (With Season Schedule)
July 29, 2019
Tate High School held their men’s soccer camp over the weekend in preparation for their upcoming season. The camp was for all returning Tate players and all aspiring players for the 2019-2020 varsity and junior varsity teams.
(all home games are played at Ashton Brosnaham Park)
Lewis, Duran Make Debut, Lead Blue Wahoos To Seventh Straight Win
July 29, 2019
A leap in level and first impression became memorable Sunday for shortstop Royce Lewis and pitcher Jhoan Duran, leading the Pensacola Blue Wahoos to a new high.
In their much-anticipated debuts, Lewis drove in a pair of runs with a second-inning double, narrowly missing a grand slam, going 2-for-5 and helping turn two double plays, while Duran allowed just two hits in five scoreless innings, as the visiting Blue Wahoos beat the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 5-0 to record their seventh consecutive win.
It’s the team’s longest win streak this season. It’s happening with a remodeled roster.
And the Blue Wahoos did it Sunday on the road against a major league pitcher.
Less than a day after being promoted from the Fort Myers Miracle, the 20-year-old Lewis was in the starting lineup and quickly wowed.
The Minnesota Twins’ overall No. 1 pick in 2017 drove a pitch from Pablo Lopez, who was on a rehab assignment start from the Miami Marlins, off the left field wall at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
The almost-grand slam scored Jimmy Kerrigan and Ivan De Jesus Jr. A wild pitch from Lopez then scored Joe Cronin with the third run of the inning and provided a 4-0 lead. It forced Jumbo Shrimp manager Kevin Randel to summon the bullpen for a reliever.
Lewis singled in his next at-bat to become the Blue Wahoos’ lone multiple-hit player in the game.
The Blue Wahoos got a first inning run off Lopez, a starter in 14 games this season for Miami, on Ben Rortvedt’s two-out double scoring Trevor Larnach, who had singled.
Larnach (2018), Lewis and Alex Kirilloff (2016) currently give the Blue Wahoos the Twins’ No. 1 draft picks in the past three years.
Meanwhile, Duran was dealing on the mound. The 21-year-old righthander faced just one batter above the minimum through four innings. He recorded eight ground ball outs, including a double play that Lewis helped turn.
Duran worked five complete innings, allowing just one walk and striking out three, in addition to yielding two hits.
Three relievers followed Duran. Hector Lujan worked a scoreless sixth inning. Jonathan Cheshire, also making his Blue Wahoos debut after being with the Toronto Blue Jays organization, followed with 1.2 innings, allowing just one hit.
Alex Phillips picked up his second save after entering in the eighth inning and allowed just one hit. The Blue Wahoos picked up their fifth run in the ninth inning on Kirilloff’s two-out single to score Ryan Costello.
The win boosted the Blue Wahoos to 56-50 overall, after they fell under .500 during a six-game losing streak which preceded the turnaround. They are 18-18 in the second half and trail first-place Biloxi by five games in the Southern League South Division.
However, if the Shuckers win the second half to follow their first half division win, the other playoff spot goes to the team with the second-best overall record. The Blue Wahoos now have seven-game lead on Jacksonville in that category, five games over the Mississippi Braves.
The Blue Wahoos and Jumbo Shrimp will continued their five-game series on Monday with Bryan Sammons set to face Sixto Sanchez, the Marlins’ No. 1 overall prospect.
The Blue Wahoos return to Pensacola on Thursday to face the Birmingham Barons in a weekend series
Cleaning Up The Aggie House…And Remembering Sean Banks’ Legacy
July 28, 2019
The Tate Aggie family gathered Saturday to clean up their house and remember a lost teammate.
Volunteers worked to get Pete Gindl Stadium shining with Aggie pride before the upcoming football season. And they also installed a stadium sign remembering Aggie Sean Banks.
“I’ve done a lot of hard things in my life but hanging this particular sign today got to this old man,” said Billy Glenn Howard, Jr., “especially when I turned around and saw our Tate Aggie football team watching this being installed.”
“As the freshman Aggies watched on, they were reminded that every time they put on that uniform and step on that field,” the Tate Quarterback Club wrote on social media, “that they are DOING IT FOR SEAN! They may not have known him but we are all one AGGIE FAMILY and Sean’s legacy will forever live on in this program!
Sean Banks and his sister Antoinette McCoy — his biggest fan — were killed in a tragic car crash in January when their vehicle was hit by an alleged DUI driver on East Kingsfield Road.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
