South Fort Myers Little League All-Stars look to repeat '05 success

Dustin Brown knows a thing or two about what it takes for a Little League team to be successful. He's got the résumé to prove it, and advice to match it.

"Hard work will get you places," said Brown, who is the only returnee this year on the South Fort Myers 12-year-old Little League All-Star team that made it to the state finals last year.

Last summer Brown played third base and left field for the South squad that went 6-0 in district pool play, then lost its opening game in the double elimination round before reeling off four straight wins. South advanced to the state finals in Haines City, where its season ended with a 1-2 pool record.

Having Brown's experience on the field is something that will be relied on by manager Mark Lamers.

"He'll be a major contributor. He's a solid pitcher and has a great bat. His leadership will be awesome," said Lamers, who managed the A's to a major league championship last month.

Brown, who played for the Twins, sees a smaller, but faster All-Star team that will begin defense of its District 9 crown June 29 when they visit Cape Coral National at 6 p.m.

"We're good, but not as big as last year," he said. "We don't have as much power, but we have more speed."

Brown is part of a pitching staff that should be deep, according to Lamers, with nearly every player on the roster having experience on the mound.

In addition to the powerful arms of Brown, Adam Krivisky, Michael Young, Evan Hart, D.J. Judge, and Lamers' son Tommy, among others, there's 5-foot-11 Stephen Johnson, who helped lead the A's to the title after his family moved to Fort Myers from Muskegon, Mich., halfway through the season.

The A's were struggling — winning just two of their first nine games — before Johnson's addition coincided with a remarkable second half turnaround. By the end of the regular season, the A's were clearly playing the best baseball in the league.

Photo by KEVIN JOHNSON, Banner

South Fort Myers 12-year-old Little League All-Star Evan Hart makes a catch during a drill on Tuesday night at Rutenberg Park.

"Steven brought a big boost halfway through the season," said Lamers. "He came along and we ended up booming. He brought up the morale. He came in at the right time."

Johnson won 11 games and introduced Southwest Florida to his knuckle-curve.

"I learned it two years ago. I don't know how much it breaks, but (catcher) Tommy (Lamers) likes it," said Johnson, who admits to being a huge Chicago Cubs fan.

Following their opener on Thursday, South will play Cape Coral American North on July 1 at 1 p.m. and then face North Fort Myers National on July 3 at 8 p.m. All games will be at Cape Coral National.

Lamers likes what he sees so far in practices, at least when early evening skies cooperate.

"The one thing I said to the kids is I want them to make it hard for me to make my line-up," said Lamers, whose assistants are Russ Whittle and Randy Gerlach. "I'm looking for competitiveness and unity. They're coming together well. I've got a strong bunch of kids."

• South Fort Myers Little League All-Stars: Manager: Mark Lamers. Coaches: Russ Whittle and Randy Gerlach. Players: Danny Brown, Twins; Marcus Clark, Twins; Randy Gerlach, Dodgers; Evan Hart, Cardinals; Ned Hulseman, Phillies; Stephen Johnson, A's; Nick DiBenedetto, Marlins; D.J. Judge, White Sox; Adam Krivisky, A's; Tommy Lamers, A's; Brian Mackin, Orioles; James Whittle, Twins; Mike Young, Dodgers.