THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 26, 1996 TAG: 9607240143
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHIC RIEBEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 62 lines
Take it from Willie McFadden, when it comes to big postseason tournaments, there's no place like home.
The coach of the Churchland Major Little League All-Stars (11- and 12-year-olds) is thrilled that the District 6 champs will be playing in the state tournament at Olive Branch this weekend instead of elsewhere.
``I took a 9-10 all-star team to the western part of the state a couple of years ago and you run into some real problems trying to keep the kids focused,'' said McFadden, who will be assisted by Al LeGrande and Todd Skeeter when Churchland begins play at 10 a.m. Sunday against the winner of Saturday's game between District 8 and District 11.
``For a lot of kids, just the idea of going somewhere else is a distraction. When you're out of town, the kids are staying at a motel, they've got their parents around, they've got the pool . . . it seems like vacation,'' he said.
``We're here to have fun, that's the No. 1 priority, but we want to play well, too. And having our kids go home every day instead of back to a motel will help them stay focused.''
In addition to sleeping in their own beds, eating regular home-cooked meals and not having to deal with travel, Churchland will enjoy another, more obvious, advantage.
``The home crowd,'' said McFadden. ``It'll be nice to have a lot of fans here.''
Especially since this will be the largest undertaking in state tournament history with 15 teams playing double elimination. It will take nearly 30 games to determine the champion. Barring weather problems, the tournament will conclude on Aug. 3.
There's a lot of excitement in Portsmouth about hosting the tournament.
``This is the tournament in Little League,'' said Butch Cuthriell, the tournament director. ``It's played a week later than all the other (age group) tournaments in Little League so that more officials can attend.
``It rotates around to every district, so we won't see it here for another 15 years. We're hoping to put on a good show.''
And Churchland will do its best to keep a hometown team a part of the show. No District 6 team has won the state championship in Majors. Olive Branch finished second in 1990.
``I feel pretty good about our chances to do well,'' said McFadden. ``We've got some real good control pitchers, not guys who are going to overpower, but guys who have a sense about how to pitch; we've got some hitting and we've got some defense.''
Michael LeGrande, Brian Codman and Thomas McFadden are the primary pitchers, with Jackson Grimes in reserve.
Jeremy Johnson, who hit five home runs during the regular season, and Ted Pinnock are the top hitters.
Catcher Jason Edwards, second baseman Stefen Skeeter, third baseman Brett Lewin and outfielder Brett Bankos have impressed with the glove.
Brandon Knight, Spanky Smith, Tom Huff and Byron Fisher have played well off the bench.
The winner of the tournament will advance to the South Region tournament in St. Petersburg, Fla., Aug. 8. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Alan LeGrande, assistant coach of the Churchland Allstars,
congratulates his son, Michael, as he rounds third base after
hitting a three-run homer during the District 6 championship game. by CNB