The AAA Red Sox win TOP TEAM HONORS in District 23 Minor League Division!

Championship game score: Maitland Red Sox – 15  Apopka Rays – 0 

 The championship game was a tremendous performance by the AAA Red Sox!  With a 15-0 lead going into the top of the 4^th inning, a lightning delay postponed the game.  However, by that point the Red Sox (home team) had already clinched the win after just 3 innings played.

 The tournament rules for minor teams limited runs scored per inning to 5.  Rules also state that if a team is ahead by 10 or more runs after 4 innings, the game is over.  In the 4^th inning, ahead 15-0, the Red Sox only needed to earn 3 outs or at worst, could have given up the maximum runs allowed per inning of 5, and the 10 run rule would have still ended the game in their favor.

The offense for the Red Sox was dominating.  They scored the maximum 5 runs allowed in each of the 3 innings played.  In fact, Apopka was never was able to get 3 outs against the Red Sox in any of the 3 innings!  The Red Sox defense was equally impressive.  With a mere 44 pitches thrown by the starting pitcher through 3 innings, the Apopka team was only able to send 11 batters to the plate.    

 The Apopka team respectfully conceded when the lightning delay and severe rain halted play for the night. 

 Going into the championship game, the Apopka Rays had earned a bye straight to the championship game because of their outstanding tournament record.  With their top team tournament record of 3-0 and only 5 total runs allowed, they were the best of any team in the 3 pools of teams during the tournament.  On their way to the finals, they defeated another tough team from Maitland, the AAA Rays. 

 Going into the final game, the Maitland Red Sox had also won all 3 games in their top team tournament pool.  However, in order to advance to the championship game they had to win a semi-final game.  The semi-final game was played the day prior to the championship game. In the semi-final game, the Maitland Red Sox defeated a tough team from Oviedo, the Indians, to earn a chance to play the Apopka Rays for the championship.  With a 4-0 record going into the championship game, and 40 total runs scored through the tournament, the Maitland Red Sox were very confident.  It showed in their impressive 15-0 shut-out in the Championship game. 

 Overall, the Maitland Red Sox tournament record of 5-0 was earned by defeating the top two teams from Apopka, the top two teams from Oviedo and the top team from Lake Mary.

 Team Manager, John Wacker, Head Coach Bob Aydt, and Coach Stewart Solomon had a simple philosophy throughout the entire season and were quoted as saying:   

“We worked hard as a team to develop every player at as many positions, as much as possible.  Since our regular season win/loss record didn’t matter for post season play, our focus throughout the season was preparing for our post season play.  Our boys knew this, and remained focused on learning the game while having fun.  Every single one of them contributed all season long and in all of the 5 wins in the district tournament.  Winning during our regular season was not our focus, teaching was.  Baseball is a fun game full of strategy and teamwork. Our boys learned how to make the right decisions at the right times, and how to execute as a team.  Talented players don’t win – smart, talented teams do!  We are VERY proud of every one of them!  Thank you to all our coaches, parents and families for all the support during this extremely fun season!”

 With only 4 regular season wins, the Red Sox 5-0 record in the post season District 23  Top Team Tournament was capped off with an impressive 15-0 shut-out.  The Maitland AAA Red Sox left no doubt who was the best minor league team in the District 23 Top Team Tournament.

 Maitland Little League is very proud of the AAA RED SOX!!!