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Team Isn't Just About Baseball

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By JOHN CEBALLOS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 26, 2007

Updated: 09/24/2007 10:55 pm

RIVERVIEW - Though six years may not seem like a long time to most, some members of the Riverview Rangers have been playing baseball together that long - nearly half their lives.

'We had this group of 6- and 7-year-old kids years ago and a couple of the parents thought it would be a good idea to get everybody together,' said team coach Randy Ramos, whose son Adam plays on the team.

The 13-under Amateur Athletic Union baseball team has been together since 2002. The AAU is a nationwide organization dedicated to the development and promotion of amateur sports.

The team uses the East Bay Little League field at Vance Vogel Park in Gibsonton as its home field and for practices. Still, the team travels frequently - every other weekend - across the state to test itself. The team has played games everywhere from St. Petersburg and Venice to Land O' Lakes and Orlando.

'We try to have the kids play against really good opponents,' Ramos said. 'It's the best way for them to learn the game - by playing good teams.'

The team began its 'fall ball' season during Labor Day weekend and has posted a 2-3 record. Most of the players are from the South Shore area.

'The expectation this season is to have these kids play as many competitive games as they can and get them ready for high school,' Ramos said. 'They're now playing on the same size field as high school players and it's getting to be around the age where scouts start coming around.'

Ramos said the eighth-graders will be eligible to play on East Bay High School's junior varsity team.

Still, whatever success the players have on the field has to be matched by their off-the-field actions.

'One of my favorite things about the team is that the coach holds them accountable off the field academically and behaviorally,' said Eva Colon, whose son, Bo Hogan, plays on the team.

Ramos said he contacted Bill Colome, the baseball coach at East Bay High School, for advice and has since instituted Colome's code of conduct.

'They have to maintain a 2.0 GPA, and they can't have any suspensions or referrals from their schools,' Ramos said. 'If any of those rules are violated, they could end up sitting out a game.'

Ramos said the team also is taking steps toward getting more involved in the South Shore community.

'We'd probably start off by helping with concessions during East Bay Little League games,' Ramos said.

'I also want to start focusing on getting the players involved in community service projects in the area now that they're getting a little older.'

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

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