The St. Thomas 13-15 All-Star Little League baseball team departed St. Thomas for the Dominican Republic Thursday to participate in the Johnny Samuel 13-15 Baseball Tournament, which runs through the weekend.
The team, composed of 13 players ages 13 through 15 will begin play Friday. The Virgin Islands delegation includes the players, three coaches and eight adults chaperones. The team is managed by Alvin "Bello" Richards.
Team organizer Randolph DeWindt said, "The more chances our children get to play baseball the better for them." All 13 team members have been playing organized baseball since the Pee Wee League level. Most of them have been members of a St. Thomas Little League All Star team in past years. DeWindt also said, "Every time these kids get to play against different competition is only going to increase their skills and abilities."
Senior Little League baseball is open to ages 13-16. Richards sees this tournament as "an opportunity for these players who will be the veterans of next year's Senior League All-Star team to get some exposure" and cement their skills for participation in next year's team.
The absence from St. Thomas of the players, all from the Elrod Hendricks Senior Little League, will cause an interruption in league play. However, league president Joseph Clendinen said, "I am proud and happy for the kids to get this opportunity to participate in this tournament." He added, "The exposure will only help these kids get better."
Clendinen remains on St. Thomas to oversee the Elrod Hendricks Senior Little League and the Interscholastic Athletic Association Baseball league. League commissioner Ken Harlow traveled with the team to the Dominican Republic.
