Braves become second World Series qualifier
By Louie St. George III The Daily Times
Steve Trombly and his Trombly Braves are making a return visit to Farmington in August for the Connie Mack World Series — a year after losing twice to the East Cobb (Ga.) Yankees in the championship round on the tournament's final night.
The Braves knocked off the South Troy (N.Y.) Dodgers 8-2 on Wednesday in the final game of a qualifying tournament in Troy, N.Y., to improve their record to 19-2-1 this summer. They finished 5-1 in the qualifier.
"They're a good club," Trombly said Friday of the Dodgers. "I wouldn't be surprised to see them somewhere along the way at the World Series. But with the experiences we've had in Farmington, myself, the players and the parents all wanted to get back there."
South Troy advanced to the World Series in 2004.
Trombly's team is the second to qualify for this year's tournament. The Braves join the Dallas Lake Highlands Wildcats — their first-round opponent — as the first two teams in the field of 10. In November, the American Amateur Baseball Congress Board of Directors voted to expand the tournament by adding two teams.
The 42nd Annual World Series begins Friday, Aug. 4.
"It's pretty exciting when somebody qualifies," said Mike Dimond, President of the AABC. "These two teams know what it's all about and now they get to return."
The Braves won the West Regional in 2005 and came to Farmington sporting a 26-4 record. After winning their first four games, they needed only one win in two games against East Cobb to clinch the title. Instead, on a wet night at Ricketts Park, East Cobb staved off elimination in the opener and prevailed in Game 2, which ended well after midnight.
"I think the expectation for ourselves is to compete and try to win the World Series, but any year you get to Farmington, there's no shame in that and you want the kids to feel like they have nothing to lose," Trombly said.
In just the program's fourth year, the Braves are making their second trip to Farmington. Trombly says six of his current players participated a year ago.
"Having so many guys coming back, now they know what to expect and what's going on. Last year every day was a new day and a new experience. This year we'll be enjoying the moment, but there will be more of a focus on baseball."
The jump to a 10-team field created the need for two qualifying tournaments. Lake Highlands won the first one in the middle of June in Denver. Aside from the Braves and Wildcats, the rest of the field will be filled out by seven regional champs and the host team.
Louie St. George: lstgeorge@daily-times.com
