BOYS OF SUMMER

Oceanside 11-12 baseball readies for state tournament

District 2 players; who are they?
Wed, 07/22/2015 - 11:00am

ROCKLAND – Awesome, amazing, fun are just a few of the words that some of the 13 boys on the District 2 Championship team from Oceanside Little League had to say.

This week the boys and coaches are spending the week getting ready to take on the other five top team from around the state.

The state tournament is being played right close by in Waldoboro at the Clyde Sukeforth Field. The Medomak Valley Little League has done a tremendous job getting prepared for this tournament which starts Saturday.

But this is about these boys, our own boys of summer playing in the biggest game of their life thus far. The 11-12 Little League State Championship is huge. Baseball lovers from everywhere will be going to see the games as some of these boys are the same we will be watching in a few years when they take the next step to high school baseball.

The Oceanside Little League team is made up of the following players with the name, age, school and favorite position. Nathaniel Barnard (12 years old, Rockland District Middle School, pitcher); Finnegan Lynch (12, RDMS, catcher); Logan Putansu (12, St. George, pitcher); Nathan Coombs, (12, Thomaston Grammar School); Tim Farrelly (13, Vinalhaven, pitcher); Tyler Sukeforth (12, RDMS, left field); Joe Curtis (12, RDMS, pitcher), Zack Upham (12, St. George, catcher); Jonah Carlson (12, St. George, third base); Aaron Benner (13, St. George, pitcher), Obie Miller (12, St. George, center field); Aidan Munro (12, Thomaston Grammar, shortstop); and Matthew Spear (12, homeschooled, catcher).

These boys are excited to still be playing and are working hard to represent the District in a positive manner. From meeting these boys and talking to them, remember getting a 12 or 13 year old to talk to an adult is not easy, representing this District will be a cakewalk for these guys. Wonderful group of boys, as coach Reynolds said to me, “Sometimes you just get a group of kids together and you just really want to work with them.”

The team is managed by Davin Putansu, the coaches are Steve Reynolds and Jed Miller. Reynolds who has been coaching sports since 1974 is Putansu’s father-in-law and Logan’s grandfather. Both Davin and his son Logan talked about the family involvement.

With 41 years of coaching experience, Reynolds has a lot to offer, but the question is how it is accepted. Davin was asked how it was to coach with his father-in-law? After the laughter died down Davin had this to say about it.

“It’s different, it’s different, I’ll give you that,” said Davin. “But I’ll tell you what, he has a lot of knowledge and I really respect his knowledge on the baseball field. He has helped a lot, been there to calm me down a little bit, give some advice that I probably wouldn't have thought of before. It’s been great having him here with us.”

For Logan, he has a different opinion on what it’s like to be coached not only by your father but your grandfather as well.

“It’s tough, they put a lot of pressure on me,” said Logan. “They treat me a little harder than the other kids.”

When Logan was asked what he liked about baseball his answer was surprising but good.

“I really like playing defense,” said Logan. “I think the defense is more fun because you get more action I think.”

Another player on the team Tim Farrelly lives on Vinalhaven. He is the only member of the team from the island. That is a hardship that the folks living on the mainland do not always understand. Sometimes traveling from the island to practice or a game means not being able to get back to the island. However for a 13-year-old, young Farrelly has a good outlook on it.

“I don’t mind doing this,” said Farrelly. “Sometimes I can make it home and sometimes I have to stay overnight here, but that’s fine.”

That kind of attitude should take this young man a long ways.

Farrelly also said he really likes the history of the game, how back when it was invented it was so much easier to play. It’s just fun to play he said.

So the team practiced Tuesday night and will continue to do the same Wednesday and Thursday.

The state tournament starts Saturday, July 25 in Waldoboro. The tournament is split into two pools with District 2 being in Pool B with District’s 4 and 6.

Oceanside (District 2) will play their first game of the Round Robin tournament Sunday, July 26 at 3 p.m. when they take on District 6.

The second game will be Monday, July 27 again at 3 p.m. when they will take on District 4.

The top two teams from each of the two pools will advance while two teams will be eliminated.

Tuesday, July 28 starts the semifinals with the consolation game and championship game set for Thursday, July 30.

The Clyde L. Sukeforth Field at the Waldoboro Recreation Complex is located at 594 Main St., Waldoboro.

Directions:
From the South on I­95
Take 95 North to Rt. 1 North at Exit 28 in Brunswick. Stay on Rt. 1 until the intersection of Rt. 32 in Waldoboro. Turn right onto Rt. 32 South. Turn right at the first stop sign and the Waldoboro Recreation Complex is 800 feet on the right.

From the North of I­95 through Augusta
Follow Rt. 17 East to Rt. 32 South in Jefferson. Follow Rt. 32 into Waldoboro. After you cross Rt. 1, take a right at the first stop sign. The Waldoboro Recreation Complex is 800 feet on the right.

From the North on Rt. 1
Follow Rt. 1 South to Rockport. Take a right onto Rt. 90. Follow Rt. 90 until it meets back up with Rt. 1. Take a right onto Rt. 1 South. Follow Rt. 1 into Waldoboro and turn left onto Rt. 32 South. Turn right at the first stop sign and the Waldoboro Recreation Complex is 800 feet on the right.

Parking
Parking is available at the Sukeforth Field and adjacent Begley Field. PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON THE PAVED ROAD LEADING TO THE FIELD ACCESS ROAD OR THE PAVED PARKING LOT BY THE MEDICAL OFFICE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE SUKEFORTH FIELD.

Additional parking areas are located at the Foster Field and the Miller Elementary School which is located across the road from the Foster Field just to the north of the Begley Field. These areas will be marked with signs.

A map of the area and the various parking availability and fields can be accessed from this link: https://goo.gl/maps/9hA8a

Concessions
These will be available at the Clyde L. Sukeforth Field before, during and after games

● Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Hot Dogs

● Lobster Rolls

● Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

● Fried Dough

● French Fries

● Baked goods

● Cold beverages including water, Gatorade and soda


Ron Hawkes can be reached at sports@penbaypilot.com