SCP All-Star softball team practices for tournament

Bob Walker admits he doesn't encourage his softball players to swing for the fences.

It's not that no one on San Carlos Little League's 13-14 year-old All-Star softball team can't knock the ball out of the park. One or two can.

Photo by KEVIN JOHNSON, Banner

Chelsie Guffey slides away from the tag of third baseman Suzanne Karson during practice on Saturday for the San Carlos Little League's 13-14 year-old All-Star softball team.

But the team's manager prefers his players to eye the gaps.

"We'll take singles all day long and run around the bases," Walker said following practice on Saturday at Three Oaks Community Park. "We don't have a lot of size. We don't have a whole bunch of strength. We don't have huge girls that can clobber the ball, so we have to work together as a team and everyone has to do their part."

The team might lack power at the plate, but not on the mound.

"We're fortunate that we have about six pitchers from the regular season," said Walker. "Good side is we have a lot of pitching. Bad side is we only have one catcher right now."

So before district tournament games begin next week at Veterans Park in Naples, Walker will try to groom another catcher to back up his daughter, Kelly, who also pitches.

"We'll convert someone to catcher because in this kind of weather you can't have someone catch all day long," said Walker.

The all-star team is comprised of ten players from the league's Cardinals and Twins. Most of the players are 13, but a few, such as Erin Detzel and Chelsie Guffey, return from last year's squad.

"They're all starters. I have 10 top players. They all look good," said Walker.

With only ten players, it will be imperative that the team remain healthy throughout the tournament.

"We can go into the tournament with nine players. But if someone gets hurt or sick, we can't field a team. We'd feel better going to Naples with 10 players on the roster," said Walker, who is being assisted by his wife, Jennifer. Both coached the Cardinals during the regular season.

• San Carlos Little League 13-14 year-old All-Star softball team:

Manager: Bob Walker. Coach: Jennifer Walker. Players: Lauren Coester, Erin Detzel, Chelsie Guffey, Haley Garcia, Suzanne Karson, Lindsey Ohlin, Ashley Oliveto, Emily Seeling, Kristin Shimko and Kelly Walker.