EL TORO LEADS GOODLETTSVILE TO VICTORY ALONG THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD

The road to the Emerald City was a long one for Dorothy. The same can be said for the Goodlettsville 12u Little League All-Stars. As I sat and listened to the parents’ conversation at the teams’ celebration meal last night, the talk was about the Emerald City which for this team is Warner Robbins, GA but also the journey it took to get there. That journey began as small four and five-year-olds chasing balls and playing in the dirt at Moss Wright Park.

Dorothy’s journey picked up friends along the way as she made her way to see the Wizard as this team has done on its journey as five-year-olds to smart baseball savvy twelve-year-olds. Players like Ace Eschenburg who came to the league this season with the dream of making the team and having a shot to reach the Emerald City. Players like Jeremiah Paye who watched from a distance in his early years at the park but continued to work hard every year until he was able to join the group on its journey. Then there’s THIS GUY! The player named in the headline of this write-up. Armando “El Toro” DeDios.

Armando is another player who watched from the forest a distance away from the yellow-brick road as the players passed by on their journey to the Emerald City silently following in the shadows. He too had dreams of one day being able to join the group on its enchanted journey. His dreams were granted this season and the team is much better for it. El Toro, Like Dorothy and her friends, handled the dangerous road with calm and poise as the obstacles that came the team’s way were thwarted by his magical arm. DeDios shut out one of the premier teams in the state of Tennessee in Clarksville National. A team that re-loaded this year with the goal of pushing Goodlettsville off that brick road and taking their place at the Emerald City but El Toro was having none of it as he pitched a strong 5 2/3 innings of one-hit no runs allowed baseball striking out an impressive eleven baters leading his team to a 5-0 victory. The team was surrounded by dangers as the fences surrounding the field were lined with opposing fans but El Toro the Bull kept on fighting with those horns, kept on shielding his team with strikeout after strikeout.

All the Tin-Man wanted was a heart. Dedios had that and much more. He had the heart to fight through the atmosphere surrounding him, the courage to master his emotions and execute under difficult conditions and the knowledge to know that he was meant for this moment and that he was the guy for the job. The one who watched from the shadows along that yellow brick road was now in the light shining brightly fighting with those horns leading the team to their first destination, the Emerald City.

All I can say is I am more than proud of this young man and the rest of his teammates for the hard work and dedication they put in to achieve their goal. The countless hours pitching at the fire station, hitting and fielding in the heat of the day at Moss Wright Park. Hours that were necessary as they traversed that yellow brick road.

I have said in the past; It takes a village and the village is strong with this group led by coach Kevin Spain who spent countless hours pounding ball after ball to these kids as they progressed through the ages at the park. Coaches like Chase Campbell, Brent Campbell, Marty White, John Robertson, Justin Smith, Brandon Kiser and many more. They know who they are. All I can say is I’m more than happy to have been asked to partake on this journey like EL Toro, Ace, Lil Baby and coach Brandon Kiser. It’s been a long journey down that yellow brick road but I’m sure those that have a personal connection to this team are shaking their head in agreement that it’s been more than worth the effort.

STATE CHAMPS BABY! GO, GO GOODLETTSVILLE! THE EMERALD CITY AWAITS!!!!