Girls travel softball team made up of ‘World Series’ champs
By Mike Hamson
Special Correspondent
TBO.com
Published: April 6, 2016
BLOOMINGDALE — Coach D.J. Pena of Valrico led the Bloomingdale Blaze Under 12 Babe Ruth softball team as the girls captured the Florida state crown in 2014. Now, about half of the members of that same softball team continue to work with Pena as part of the Florida Fire 14-and-under travel team.
His travel team is headed to the “Diamond 9 Showcase” in Orlando for a softball tournament the second week of June, followed by a legacy tournament in Atlanta in the middle of July.
“Our goal is to make sure all of our kids have an enjoyable time,” Pena said. “It’s safe. It’s a good environment for the kids. Hopefully we learn a little bit about softball and life’s lessons — that you have to work a little bit to get what you get. More importantly, we tell all of our volunteer coaches to make sure our kids have fun and want to come back next year. We are competing with a lot of activities around these kids.”
One of the members of his travel team is his youngest daughter Madeline, a freshman at Bloomingdale High School. Pena is also the father of Ryan, a junior at Bloomingdale and daughter Samantha, a senior at University of Central Florida.
Madeline said her aspirations for the future include going to the college of her choice to become an engineer.
“Playing softball in college full time does not have my strongest interest at the time but I definitely plan to keep the sport in my life,” Madeline said.
Being a part of the travel team lets Madeline remain close to some of the same girls who won the Babe Ruth 12-and-under Softball World Series back in 2014.
“I’ve enjoyed the long-lasting friendships and the bonds I’ve formed with all my teammates and all the memories we’ve made throughout our seasons,” Madeline said. “I especially love traveling with the team and spending time together even when not playing softball.”
Pena is also president of the Bloomingdale Youth Sports Association. Games and practices are at the field, 2215 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico.
He said the league used to play under the Little League rules before switching to the Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth format in 2014.
“We were tired of Little League handcuffing our league with rules that hindered us,” Pena said. “We felt like when we reached out to Little League region there was no one around to answer our calls. In our Cal Ripken Babe Ruth charter we have clear communication. If we have questions there will be a live person on the other end to help.”
He said being a part of the Babe Ruth organization allowed them to grow.
Pena pointed out this is the first year the league has turned on the scoreboard for T-ball and had a T-ball division for 6-year-olds.
“We are fortunate to live in a great area that supports our local park,” he said. “We have top-notch facilities that provide nice fields and a safe environment for all. We have been very happy with our change and will continue to help and support our local community in Valrico.”
For more information, visit bysafl.com.
Special Correspondent
TBO.com
Published: April 6, 2016
BLOOMINGDALE — Coach D.J. Pena of Valrico led the Bloomingdale Blaze Under 12 Babe Ruth softball team as the girls captured the Florida state crown in 2014. Now, about half of the members of that same softball team continue to work with Pena as part of the Florida Fire 14-and-under travel team.
His travel team is headed to the “Diamond 9 Showcase” in Orlando for a softball tournament the second week of June, followed by a legacy tournament in Atlanta in the middle of July.
“Our goal is to make sure all of our kids have an enjoyable time,” Pena said. “It’s safe. It’s a good environment for the kids. Hopefully we learn a little bit about softball and life’s lessons — that you have to work a little bit to get what you get. More importantly, we tell all of our volunteer coaches to make sure our kids have fun and want to come back next year. We are competing with a lot of activities around these kids.”
One of the members of his travel team is his youngest daughter Madeline, a freshman at Bloomingdale High School. Pena is also the father of Ryan, a junior at Bloomingdale and daughter Samantha, a senior at University of Central Florida.
Madeline said her aspirations for the future include going to the college of her choice to become an engineer.
“Playing softball in college full time does not have my strongest interest at the time but I definitely plan to keep the sport in my life,” Madeline said.
Being a part of the travel team lets Madeline remain close to some of the same girls who won the Babe Ruth 12-and-under Softball World Series back in 2014.
“I’ve enjoyed the long-lasting friendships and the bonds I’ve formed with all my teammates and all the memories we’ve made throughout our seasons,” Madeline said. “I especially love traveling with the team and spending time together even when not playing softball.”
Pena is also president of the Bloomingdale Youth Sports Association. Games and practices are at the field, 2215 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico.
He said the league used to play under the Little League rules before switching to the Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth format in 2014.
“We were tired of Little League handcuffing our league with rules that hindered us,” Pena said. “We felt like when we reached out to Little League region there was no one around to answer our calls. In our Cal Ripken Babe Ruth charter we have clear communication. If we have questions there will be a live person on the other end to help.”
He said being a part of the Babe Ruth organization allowed them to grow.
Pena pointed out this is the first year the league has turned on the scoreboard for T-ball and had a T-ball division for 6-year-olds.
“We are fortunate to live in a great area that supports our local park,” he said. “We have top-notch facilities that provide nice fields and a safe environment for all. We have been very happy with our change and will continue to help and support our local community in Valrico.”
For more information, visit bysafl.com.
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