Cobras advance to Disney youth baseball classic
A talented group of 8- and 9-year-old baseball players is being rewarded for their standout play with a trip to Disney.
The West Pines Cobras’ under-9 division youth baseball team earned a return trip to Disney’s Wide World of Sports World Series as a result of their success in the recent United States Specialty Sports Association Super NIT Tournament in Vero Beach.
The Cobras, who play their home games at Pembroke Shores Park, qualified for the World Series play starting July 15 by being a finalist in the three-day tournament. In the final round, the Cobras defeated Doral12-2 and Team Florida 5-2 before losing 9-3 to eventual champion MVP of Hialeah.
For the Cobras, a decision to play up one age group in the Florida Premier Travel League proved highly beneficial.
Competing at the 10-under age level, the West Pines squad gained valuable experience against older players that paid off during tournament play. The Cobras took the title in the Lake Worth Winter Bash and finished in first place at the Weston Hawks tournament.
“The kids are so excited to be going back to Disney after playing in the 8-under tournament there last year,” Assistant Coach Greg Irizarry said. “There will be teams at Disney from California, Texas, Georgia, all over. The kids have exceeded our expectations and are doing great. We’re all very happy.”
Head Coach Robert Pineyro has coached the team since its inception two years ago.
“All the kids play infield, outfield and pitch. … They play multiple positions and rotate,” Pineyro said. “Physically and mentally, we want the players to learn baseball and become students of the game.”
Pompano boxer a powerful force inside the ropes
The goal to become a world champion is within closer reach for Pompano Beach boxer Amir Imam.
Imam improved his record to 17-0 with a unanimous 10-round decision over Walter Castillo at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. The 24-year-old recently moved up to the No. 1 ranking in the 140-pound Super Lightweight division in both the World Boxing Council and the World Boxing Association.
Imam’s manager and trainer, Stacey McKinley, said his young fighter has earned a title shot.
“Amir is an extraordinary fighter who has unusual skills,” McKinley said. “He is a gifted fighter who absorbs what you teach him and implements it in the ring. He trains and watches film all the time.“
A multi-sport athlete who enjoyed basketball, soccer and baseball, Imam took a serious approach to boxing at age 12 and racked up more than 100 fights as an amateur.
“I have just loved the beach and the weather down here since I moved from Albany, N.Y., and I am training six days a week,” Imam said. “Fighting on Showtime Boxing has given me some great exposure, which is great for my career. I consider myself to be a master technician in the ring and can do it all. I’m more than ready for a title shot.”
Junior League hits the pavement for benefit event
The Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale recently took to the streets in Fort Lauderdale’s Rio Vista neighborhood for the 15th annual Riverwalk Run, which included a 5K, a five-mile run and a kids’ fun run.
More than 1,000 participants gathered at Huizenga Plaza for the start of the event that, since its inception in 2001, has raised more than $750,000.
Every year, proceeds from the race go toward a community project.
“This year, we are working on a human trafficking awareness program and have partnered with Leadership Broward to get the message across,” said Junior League President Tracy Barbara. “This is all about education and bringing awareness to a serious problem. Over 70 percent of the victims are children.”
Martin Killian won the men’s five-mile, while Lisa Miller was the top female. Sean Breslin was the men’s overall 5K champion and Marlene Persson captured the women’s title.
Killian, 37 and of Davie, runs for the Running Depot team and is looking to compete in this year’s New York Marathon and next year’s Boston Marathon.
“This is a pretty unique race and it is for a great cause, and that always gives me a little more motivation,” Killian said. “This is the first race I’ve won.”
Breslin is a 17-year-old runner who attends St. Thomas Aquinas High School. He used the race as part of his training for the upcoming high school district and regional meets.
“It feels good to win, even though my time wasn’t that great,” Breslin said. “It was good extra training for the track season.”