10-Year-Old Baseball Star
Makes National Appearance

by Johnny Johnson

Coronado Little League player Derek Daly got a taste of the big leagues this summer. His baseball talents won him an all-expense-paid trip to Yankee Stadium to participate in the Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run.

The 10 year-old was 1 of 12 male finalists who earned the trip to participate in the festivities during the major league All-Star week in New York in July. He came in 2nd place for his age division.

Being advanced to the National Finals was no small feat. The competition saw more than 600,000 participants through more than 4,000 local competitions. Only the top three male and female competitors nationwide from each of the four divisions (7-8 year olds; 9-10 year olds; 11-12 year olds; and 13-14 year olds) advanced to the National Finals in New York.

“My favorite part of the week was shagging balls during the Home Run Derby,” said Daly. “That was really fun. But all the balls that were hit my way went over the fence!”

Daly also enjoyed meeting major league baseball players and being on television, he said.

“Coronado Little League couldn’t be prouder of Derek’s accomplishment,” said Steve Conklin, President of Coronado Little League. “What he did was truly amazing. Playing at Yankee Stadium will be a memory that will last forever and we are so proud of him.”

Derek played on Coronado Little League’s 9-10 All-Star team after helping his Triple A team, the White Sox, win the league championship.

“Derek is an example of how determination and lots of practice can only make you better,” Conklin said.

© 2008 Good News Tucson™

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