THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 31, 1994 TAG: 9407280228
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 58 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
The head coach of Dare County's Babe Ruth all-star squad for 14- and 15-year-olds says there's something unique about coaching players in that age group.
``Fifteen is a different age,'' Kenny Key said. ``You're driving them to the game, and they're looking out the window at girls.''
His all-star squad may have their minds on other things before the first pitch. But once the game begins, there's only winning on their minds.
The club rolled to a Babe Ruth District 7 title, outscoring opponents 48-7, and won its opening game in state play, 8-0, over Fuquay-Varina, behind a three-hitter from Foy Minton.
Hampered by a rain delay, the team suffered two heartbreaking losses and was eliminated.
Still, Key's club made up of players from Dare County as well as Columbia, N.C., had a great year.
``This was the most laid-back team I've ever coached,'' said Key, the skipper of all-star squads for the past eight years. ``They were never emotional, but they had a tremendous work ethic. They came to the ball park every day to play. I learned a lot from them. I'm an emotional coach, but they helped me.''
The team spearheaded a banner year for all four Dare County all-star clubs, made up of players ranging in age from 9 to 15.
All four teams captured district pennants, and advanced to the state tournament.
``I've been coaching for nine years, and I've never seen a year where all four teams won the district. It may have happened before, but it hasn't since I've been here.''
Key is no stranger to winning. He was a member of the first state championship team at Manteo High School, and he has watched Dare County's Babe Ruth program explode over the past three years. Now, more than 135 boys participate in the 14- to 15-year-olds' league alone.
``The thing that's so great about Babe Ruth baseball is that it gives a lot of boys who wouldn't be able to play on the high school or middle school team a chance to play baseball. When I was growing up, you couldn't play competitively until you were in the ninth grade,'' he said.
``It's good for these boys to have a chance.'' by CNB