Local 13U baseball team celebrating prestigious Ripken Experience tournament win

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

For Coach Ronald Smith of the 13U Houston Storm baseball team, it’s all about seeing the hard work from his kids pay off. Winning tournaments is the goal, of course, but he said just as a great a reward is helping his players see the results of effort and work ethic.

And that came full circle again recently, as Smith and his 13U Houston Storm team were invited to the Cal Ripken Experience World Series tournament in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee from July 2-7. And not only were they invited – they took home the tournament title, beating some of the best 13U teams from across the coun - try to do so.

The 12-team Ripken Experience World Series tournament is an inviteonly event, Smith said, with some of the top teams from around the country taking part each year. Only five games are guaranteed, he said, and from there it becomes single-elimination. Over the course of the tournament, Smith said his team went 6-3 overall, including

4-0 in the single-elimination bracket play.

In order to take home the title, the Storm defeated several previouslyundefeated 13U squads and some of the top 13U teams from around the country from states including Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, and Ohio.

“For me, it’s great to see it because they’re a hard working group of kids,” Smith said of the title. “They’re kids that started with me four years ago and put in the time to accomplish what they did.”

It’s especially meaningful, he said, because the team is made up of local players from around the area. The team practices at the baseball fields for Lutheran

North Academy on West 34th Street, and many of them attend area schools.

And now, he said, everyone in the community will be able to see the fruits of the sweat and hard work that has gone into their success with the tournament win.

“It gives them an opportunity to show their accomplishments and their success,” he said.

And though he has had a team previously win a prestigious Ripken Experience Tournament, Smith knows that each team is unique –and each different team has a different story that brings extra meaning to bringing the trophy back home to Houston.

Most of his players, he said, stay with him from the year they start playing the sport to when they graduate high school. And chemistry that’s bred from such familiarity – along with a support system both on and off the field – is what drives success such as the recent tournament victory, according to Smith.

“This was a whole team that’s been together for years. And they just got better and better. They’re a dedicated group, and their parents are dedicated to helping them do what they need to do,” he said. “We got a great group of kids and a great group of parents, which leads to good coaching and success…. They trust each other and they play for each other.”

Houston Storm 13U

Head Coach: Ron - ald Smith

Assistant head coach:

Chris Delgado

Bat boy: Sam Escamilla Roster

Kaden Tran

Austin Caldwell

Nico Longoria

Kaleb Golden

Josh Vasquez

Christian Escamilla

Ryan Montemayor

Noah Harvey Zeke Zuelke

Coen Childress

Raif Lindstrom

Rocco Lindstrom

Yadier Madrazo

Matt Sanchez

Suspects from P. 1A gun violence and injuries such as One Safe Houston and various other programs, Hopkins said a problem still persists.

Martin and Ryssdal’s white Dodge truck were missing from the home, police said, and the truck was later found in the 6900 block of Cullen Boulevard in Southeast Houston. Martin was found dead inside another car that had been on the property on Feb. 1, having been shot multiple times according to the department.

The department said detectives learned in late June that Phan and Nguyen had been located and taken into custody in Vietnam, and they were taken to a San Francisco jail on June 29 before being extradited according to the department.

From 2018-2020, a presentation during a June 20 Public Health and Homeland Security Committee meeting said there was a 76 percent increase in pediatric firearm injuries and deaths as well as a 67 percent increase in adult firearm injuries and deaths in Harris County. And since 2020, it’s even higher according to the presentation.

Charter from P. 1A because it planned to use a curriculum developed by Hillsdale College, a conservative college in Michigan. However, board member Kathryn Van der Pol claimed the previous rejections were largely because a swath of board members had been opposed to the concept of charter schools. And with the school’s approval by the Texas BOE earlier this month, it is full speed ahead for its inaugural year after four long years of fighting for what they believe is another avenue by which the area’s children can receive an effective education based on their needs. The school has not yet found a permanent home on which to build the school, but are hopeful that they will find a place soon where it can set down roots for the area’s kids.

”HCA is a unique option for families looking for a free public school alternative that can deliver both academic rigor and a focus on character formation and leadership,” said Stuart

Saunders, Board Chair of Heritage Classical Academy. “We are thrilled to receive charter approval and look forward to offering a new option for high quality education to students in northwest Houston.” beyond the surface.

Those interested in learning more about HCA can sign up to stay in touch on their website at heritageclassicalhouston.org or complete an enrollment interest form to be notified once enrollment opens for the 2024–2025 school year.

Branch.

According to the presentation, the dashboard would compile information gathered from the trauma centers, medical examiners, police department and more that include where a shooting took place and how it took place. It would also attempt to take information gathered from doctors and nurses at trauma centers to zero in on why a shooting may have taken place and other factors.

“It’s filling a gap in terms of impact on the community that we don’t necessarily have. Knowing (this type of information), it can better help us target resources,” said HPD Assistant Chief Wyatt Martin. “If there’s something we see that’s different from what our crime and call data says, then that’s going to be beneficial to us.”

“Every system has a piece of information we want, but it’s not all together,” she said. “Our job here with this project is to bring it all together so it’s fast and actionable for intervention so we can work in real time on solving the problem.” that the police department isn’t already keeping track of?” Kubosh asked during the June budget meeting.

According to its supporters, it would give all the data to make a more informed decision for intervention that the city does currently possess despite its ample efforts.

“This is a problem that is unremitting in our city,” said Dr. Bindi Naik, Chief of Pediatric Surgery and Trauma for the University of Texas Medical from P. 1A

Both have been dancing as part of the HDW studio at 3500 E. T.C. Jester Blvd. Suite G since they were 4-5 years old according to Rosemond, but the national titles are a crowning achievement for them.

“It was an incredibly proud feeling,” Rosemond said.

And making their way there was no easy task.

Both Hart and Sanchez had to make their way through a regional competition in Houston in order to receive an invitation to

The goal, according to the presentation, is to have a clearer picture of the full scope of firearm injuries and their impact on the public from a holistic perspective that goes nationals. From there, they danced in a preliminary round where only the top eight scoring dances were invited back to perform in the finals.

Preparation on their routines began back in August, Sanchez said, where they worked with choreographer Seth Judic to pick out a song best suited for them. From there, it was up to five hours a week in the studio plus dedicated sessions for their competition piece.

“We put in a lot of work, and it was really cool (to hear my name called),” Sanchez said.

Using that data, Hopkins said the goal is to use the compiled information to better target resources towards neighborhoods and populations that might be the most vulnerable to firearm injuries for various reasons.

The proposal was not initially met with much support in council in June, however, with councilman Michael Kubosh and councilman Dave Martin raising questions about it. Kamin said it would require $240,000 over the next two years to get the program off the ground, and a grant would likely be necessary to create funding for the dashboard.

“This gives us more data to promote and raise awareness and maybe adjust some of our policies or put our resources in the right places,” Naik said. “We’re already doing some of this in our city, but we all know we could be doing a lot more.” crowned a champion.

The feeling was mutual for the parents of both children.

“It was really emotional for me, and really overjoying. It made me really proud,” Elizabeth Sanchez said.

Cindy Hart said her daughter was part of the national competition last year as part of a group, and wanted to do everything possible to get back there again this year.

And once Marina’s mind was made up, her mother

“What are we doing here said there was nothing that would stop her from accomplishing her goal.

“We talked about it and I told her she knew what it takes – all the hard work and practice,” Cindy Hart said. “So for her to not only qualify again but to win, was just very unexpected emotional. And I knew this was what she wanted.”

Added Robin Judic, who worked with Marina and Charlotte on their dances: “They’re two very hardworking dancers. When they come into their class and into their lessons, they’re always prepared. They work throughout the week. To see them on stage (winning) it just gives me such joy because I know what they’re wanting to accomplish, and we all get to see it and enjoy it.”

For Rosemond, that is ultimate payoff. Like many things, dance is about hard work, preparation, and repetition. For both Marina and Charlotte, she said the national competition was a moment they will never forget.

After all their hard work, the two local dancers are considered the best the country has to offer –something not many get to experience in their lifetimes. And it’s something Rosemond knows they will never forget.

“One of the cool things about dance is that it teaches work ethic and perseverance,” Rosemond said. “I really think that hearing their names called on stage and everything really brought all of that full circle.”