Jacksonville- Two time state champions 8U Venom from Fort Caroline Athletic Association will fight to take the first ever 8U World Series title in Jenson Beach on August 6th-9th.
This team has put up 23 wins and only 2 losses on the all star season going into the World Series. “The big thing about this team is that they are very elite defensively,” Assistant Coach Joe Fennell says. Venom defense allowed only 6 runs in 6 games at the State tournament.
The team is preparing for the tournament by practicing hard 3 days a week, breaking up into small groups running drills.
“We tell those boys the only team that can beat them is themselves,” Coach Fennell says. The coaches teach the players to compete against the best version of themselves. The team’s ultimate goal is to win the World Series but if they compete to their potential, the coaches will be proud.
Coaches describe the character of this team as special. 9 out of 12 players on their roster have been playing together since t-ball, four years ago. The team has accomplished back-to-back state titles the past two years: this year, leading them to the first 8U World Series ever. This group of players have a record of about 130 wins and 20 losses together.
“They’re champions,” Coach Fennell says.
“There are only 3 teams in the state that have won multiple state championships,” Coach Mike Dennis says. One of them is FCAA 8U Venom.
A lot of firsts have happened for this special baseball team of 8 year olds. The team only hopes that it continues into the World Series.
The team is having a fundraiser at the Flame Broiler on July 28th in order to help with travel funds as they head to Jenson Beach. If you say you are with Venom, 15 percent of your order will benefit this local team.
One thing the coaches want everyone to know about Venom is that “they are special together.”
