July 22
July 22, 2008
Medric J. "Spud" Auenson
July 24, 2008
When former major league pitcher Scott Sanders started the Thibodaux Terror, a 12-and-under travel team, not even he knew what to expect.
What started as a bunch of local kids from the Thibodaux and Napoleonville area has suddenly formed into a regional team featuring kids from St. Charles, Lafayette, New Orleans, Destrehan and Slidell, aside from the four Thibodaux kids he has left.
Every year for the last four years of its existence, the Terror has found itself ranked in the top 50, top 40 or top 30, but this year has been really special for the young athletes.
The Terror compiled an overall record of 55-14 and a 25-8 record thus far in their class. They have moved up to No. 4 in the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) 12-and-under major rankings.
“We’ve always been one of the top teams, but this year has been a special year,” Sanders said. “We got bigger and stronger. This is the first time we’ll get to play against the ‘big boys.’ Almost every tournament we’ve been in has had the ‘big boys’ in it from throughout the country.”
The team left Friday for Cooperstown to play in a round-robin tournament against several of the nation’s top teams, only to return tomorrow before leaving for the Elite 24 tournament next Friday in Orlando, Fla.
That tournament is by invitation only. It pits the top 24 teams in the country against each other.
“We were real lucky to make it this far,” the coach said. “It’s not easy to get a berth.”
The opportunity to play against the nation’s best is something not only Sanders is looking forward to, but his team as well. Scott Sanders Jr., a 12-year-old pitcher, and his teammate, third-baseman 12-year-old Jace Toups, both of Thibodaux, have been waiting for this moment for a while now. Scott Jr. is currently into his second year of playing for the Terror, while Jace joined the team in 2005.
Both say the opportunity to spend time with their teammates and meet new people is what they love the most about the game.
“It’s a fun experience, once in a lifetime,” Jace said. “We take advantage of it because we might not ever get to do it again.”
The younger Sanders echoed his teammates words.
“It’s going to be very exciting,” he said about the Orlando trip. “Just knowing that we get the chance to play against the top teams is cool. We can see how really good we are.”
“It’s an honor,” Jace added.
For the team, the best part about baseball is the thrill they get playing it. Jace said his favorite part is playing third base, known as the “hot corner,” because he gets the majority of the balls hit his way. He said he likes the feeling of making a great play and throwing someone out at first base.
For Scott Jr., the best part of the game is striking someone out with his fastball, which he currently clocks at 52 mph.
“There is nothing like throwing a strike on the corner of the plate,” he said.
While playing for the Terror takes up a lot of their time, the two don’t mind. Both said they never thought playing baseball all summer would be so fun.
Even the coach has taken notice of how much his team enjoys being around the game at such a young age.
“I’m honored to even be a part of a team that is as talented as we have,” the coach said. “Win or lose, it’s fun. Sometimes we get more out of losses than we do wins at this level. It’s a pleasure to groom these guys and help them become young men in elite baseball.”
According to Sanders, what makes the team so special is that they bond together so well and with each other as one.
For him, it’s knowing that this team has worked so hard for so long to get where they are, which is why he and his staff coach voluntarily.
To follow the Terror in Cooperstown this week, log on to www.bigleaguedreams.com. To track their progress in Orlando next week, visit www.usssa.com.
The Thibodaux Terror, the No. 4-ranked 12-and-under travel team in the U.S., are, front row, from left: Hunter Trahan, Rustin Guidry, Grant Naquin, Jace Toups and Chase Vallot; middle row, from left, Scottie Sanders, Jaden Danos, Sam Houston, Trey Quinn, Hezekiah Randolph and Kade Granier; and back row, from left, coaches Lance Trahan, Trey Granier, Scott Sanders, Robert Naquin and Dave Quinn. * Photo courtesy of SCOTT SANDERS
