District 14-7A Preview: West Boca’s State Title Defense Begins Now

The Atlantic Baseball Team practices at "Little Fenway" in Delray Beach

The West Boca Bulls have no chance of repeating as the Class 5A state champions.

But that is due simply to the most recent reclassification that occurred this offseason.

Instead the Bulls will now compete with Atlantic, Lake Worth and Olympic Heights in District 14 in the new Class 7A designation.

While West Boca is the deserved favorite of the district, each team faces the same challenge of learning their new district opponents’ strengths and weaknesses. Atlantic and Lake Worth have long competed against one another, but in recent years Olympic Heights competed in Class 3A in a district otherwise compiled of Broward County teams and West Boca’s previous 5A district foes were predominantly located in Martin County.

“It’s a good district, these are good teams,” Olympic Heights coach Brian Domenico said. “We have to throw strikes and play solid baseball.”

An even larger change has to do with the new BBCOR baseball bats that the FHSAA now requires for play. With this change, it is widely expected that team’s power hitting numbers may drop.

“Small ball will win a lot of games this year,” West Boca coach Nick Siano said. “Those typical 3-to-4 run ballgames are likely now going to be 1-to-2 run games.”

Atlantic has always taken pride in its solid defense, and with these changes to the bats transitioning team’s to take a small-ball approach the team likes its chances to compete.

“We played a lot of close games last year and we are confident in those scenarios,” Atlantic coach Steve Wilson said.

New to this group of veteran coaches is Lake Worth’s Mike Teman, but he is by no means new to baseball in Palm Beach County. Teman, a former graduate of Atlantic High, spent the past 10 years coaching at the collegiate level at Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach State. For the past several years, Teman also taught at Lake Worth High, and this year he was offered a chance to help rebuild the Trojans program.

“The school hired a new principal this year and he is dedicated to changing the culture in the high school and in the city around us,” Teman said. “I love his attitude and I appreciate the support we are being shown.”

Each of these four teams have all competed in much larger district’s in recent years, and each understands the importance that every district game will hold. New rivalries are set to be started and the district’s first-ever title is up for grabs.

Atlantic players huddle between drills during practice at "Little Fenway" in Delray Beach

Atlantic Eagles
2011 Record: 11-14
Head Coach: Steve Wilson
Key Returners: Rigo Beltran (LHP/1B); John Clark (1B/RHP); Sam Bergida (LHP); Chris Brown (2B); Brad Myott (C); Jesse Kieffer (CF)
Newcomers to watch: Bobby Bourque (SS) and Matt Schnell (SS)
Team Strengths: Pitching and infield defense

“This team fights to the last at-bat, to the last out,” Coach Steve Wilson said. “We don’t throw at-bats away.”

Atlantic returns a good core of players from last season’s team, and it has the pitching depth to keep games close and play to the strength of its defense. The Eagles’ infield is nearly intact from last season, needing only to replace shortstop Nick Garrido.

“We’re looking for that guy to fill that hole, and it will develop,” Coach Steve Wilson said. “To be only replacing one infield position is a good place to be.”

A pair of juniors in Bobby Bourque and Matt Schnell are the main contenders for that very important position. Other key contributers are power-hitting catcher Brad Myott and second baseman Chris Brown, who also provides the Eagles with another reliable big bat.

Junior centerfielder Jesse Kieffer anchors the outfield defense.

But the Eagles know to compete is to pitch and throw strikes and play to their team strength. Lefty Rigo Beltran heads a solid pitching staff that also includes right-hander John Clark and left-hander Sam Bergida.
“This team fights to the last at-bat, to the last out,” Wilson said. “We don’t throw at-bats away. We have quality pitching. The rest will develop.”

Troy the Trojan

Lake Worth Trojans
2011 Record: 9-19
Head Coach: Mike Teman
Key Returners: Spencer Steele (P); Sean Steele (C); Troy Steele (INF); Todd Steele (UT)
Newcomers to Watch: Matt Kopp (UT); Dalton Scragg (LHP); Ben Fagan (SS/UT/P/C)
Team Strengths: The Trojans have four seniors and also enjoy the leadership of the four Steele brothers, who help to create a strong sense of family unity.

“We’ve got great athletes and we’re excited about making them into ballplayers,” Lake Worth coach Mike Teman said.

The Lake Worth Trojans have a new coach this season, and thanks to renewed support coming from the school’s new principal the team is optimistic that better days lie ahead.

“The kids are being responsible and showing they want to be a part of us,” first-year coach Mike Teman said. “They’re learning and working their butts off. I’m excited about coaching them and the baseball they’re learning.”

The heart of the team comes from the four Steele brothers, Spencer, Sean, Troy and Todd. Spencer, the eldest, is the team’s top pitchers, and Sean is the Trojans’ starting catcher.

“They’re great kids and they come from a great family,” Teman said. “They really help us feel that sense of family and unity.”

Lake Worth also has a left-hander to compliment Spencer Steele, junior Daltan Scragg, and both are expected to carry the load for an otherwise raw and inexperienced pitching staff.

“We’ve got great athletes and we’re excited about making them into ballplayers,” Teman said.

Atlantic transfer Matt Kopp will anchor the offense, providing power from the left side of the plate. Freshman Ben Fagan has shown nice potential and should see time at shortstop, catcher and pitcher.

With the Trojans young pitching staff, small ball and strong defense will be important to keep them in games while they develop the hitting. The team has a dedicated new coach and the players have shown they are ready to put in the work and reap the rewards.

Olympic Heights Lions
2011 Record: 5-22
Head Coach: Brian Domenico
Key Returners: Reggie Diaz (SS); Eli Weldy (3B/P); David Berger (C)
Team Strengths: Unity and teamwork

“The biggest win is to win the battles within yourself,” Olympic Heights coach Brian Domenico said.

The Lions are a young team this year with only two seniors and three juniors. The pitching staff is young and inexperienced. Yet the players are as tight as any veteran team.

“There is a lot of spirit in this team,” Lions coach Brian Domenico said. “Everybody has the same vision and there is strong unity.”

In his 15 years of coaching, Coach Domenico has seen it all. With young teams it always comes down to how hard they are willing to work and how badly they want to win.

“The biggest win is to win the battles within yourself,” Domenico said.

Leading the returning players is shortstop Reggie Diaz, a switch-hitter who was a county leader last year. Sophomore Eli Weldy will lead the pitching staff and also log time at third base. Senior David Berger returns at catcher ready to leave his mark as one of the county’s top defenders.

“Berger is the backbone of our program,” Domenico said. “He’s great at throwing runners out and being positive during games. He refuses to accept mediocrity.”

According to Domenico, Olympic Heights must be deliberate to the task this year as they develop their younger players.

Catcher Michael Barash during situational drills

West Boca Bulls
2011 Record: 27-4
Head Coach: Nick Siano
Key Returners: Ryan Owens (P); Parker Danciu (P); Michael Barash (C); Matt Warren (P)
Newcomers to Watch: Sean Gabel; Bradley Bush
Team Strengths: Pitching and experience

“It’s the little things that will make the difference this year,” West Boca coach Nick Siano said.

West Boca knows how to win, as they proved last year to win the Class 5A state title with a 2-0 shutout over Lakeland.

The Bulls return five players from last year’s team, including University of Florida-signee Parker Danciu, the winning pitcher against Lakeland. West Boca’s mound depth is the clear strength of the team, with Winthrop signee Ryan Owens providing another ace on the rubber. Behind this 1-2 combo is senior Matt Warren and a strong group of junior relievers.

Behind the plate for the Bulls’ arms is Michael Barash, who had an RBI double and then also scored to account for both runs in the championship victory over the Dreadnaughts.

“Small ball and great defense will be important this year,” West Boca coach Nick Siano said. “We have some new guys, but we have a lot of guys who have been there before too. It’s the little things that will make the difference this year.”

A good example of the preparation West Boca puts in is evident in the quality opponents that it faces each year, and this season is no different as outside its district it will also play Dwyer, Palm Beach Central, Chaminade-Madonna, Delray American Heritage, Clearwater, Tampa Catholic, Seminole and Dunedin.

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