Senators surge to World Series title

Colorado may often be thought of as a vacation destination for tourists looking to ski, but for the Texas Senators, Colorado is likely to always be remembered as the site where they won the American Division at the 14U World Series.

The Senators, which are comprised of baseball players from Allen, Frisco, McKinney and Plano, completed the feat July 16 in Woodland Park.

“The Texas Senators truly had a remarkable season because each player contributed uniquely to the team,” said Tim Murphy, Senators coach.

And Murphy isn’t just being politically correct.

Texas got one or more over-the-fence home runs from PJ Harris, Ronnie Murphy, Grant DeVore, Austin Appino and Drew Drury while Austin Gehle, Kenan Davis, Adam Callahan, Blake Williams, Harris, Murphy and DeVore took on the primary pitching duties. Aiding in that cause were Ryan Perry and David Sherwood, who held the fort and framed the strike zone behind the plate.

“These are the traits necessary to win championships,” coach Murphy said.

In addition to the top team accolade, the Senators received several individual honors at the tournament. Harris won the Home Run Derby and was named Best Offensive Player for the World Series. Murphy, DeVore, Williams, Gehle, Appino and Sherwood took first place in the Around the Horn competition.

That DeVore would be involved in such an award isn’t surprising to Murphy.

“Grant Devore is one who stands out in my mind because he is always the go-to guy when we have a gap in the field,” he said. “I remember during a championship game, Grant was playing center. A fly ball was hit to center left field, both left and center fielders ran full out to catch the ball and both players leaped at the last second in an effort to catch the ball. The left fielder made the catch and in the collision Grant was cut in the face and required seven stitches.

“Insisting Grant go to the hospital, he was not convinced and told me to put him back the game. He told me, ‘I want to play coach.’ Grant eventually went to the hospital, but his passion and the passion of others like him made this season stand out.”

That passion extends to players who couldn’t take the field.

“Two players, Adam Callahan and Rogan McDaniel, were injured early in the season yet came out and supported the team at every tournament and made the trip to Colorado for the World Series,” Murphy said. “Who does that unless you have a special group of players and families? The support we received was awesome.”

And that support translated to a season-capping title.

“I guess winning the World Series was like a dream come true,” Murphy said. “Coaching the Texas Senators for the past five years, I always thought it was possible, but we came up short for one reason or another. To win the championship in the last year before these boys go to high school was special.

“I’m proud of these boys and the tough, long hours of practice paid off. Now they truly understand good things happen if you work hard enough.”

The good things have been happening all season as the Senators finished with a 33-17 record and a quartet of titles. Texas won the 7th Annual Mother’s Day Classic Super Series American, NRO/TNT USTSA American, Beat the Heat Tournament NIT AAA/Major and American Division of the 14U World Series.

That puts the championship total at 21 since Murphy and Albert Gehle established the team in fall 2005.

For as many kind words Murphy had to share about his players, he was as effusive about Gehle.

“Albert is a great teacher of the game and a good friend to have,” he said. “Special thanks to Albert for his dedication to this organization. He and coach Tommy Williams have put forth an outstanding effort and their thousands of volunteer hours helped make this World Series come true.”

AABC World Series coming to Collin County

For the 15th consecutive year, McKinney will be hosting a youth baseball World Series. The AABC Mickey Mantle World Series comes to Al Alford Field Aug. 3-8.

Teams from across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada will be competing in the 16U division for the American Amateur Baseball Congress. In addition to hosting the tournament, the city of McKinney provides hotels for the teams and has partnered with the AABC to supply travel stipends.