Team Miami baseball club is a 12U "select" travel team which has been created with the goal of gathering the most dominant 12U players in the Miami area and provide them the opportunity to play at the highest competitive level.  Playing with the best and against the best will prepare these young athletes for the next step in their baseball careers.  Team Miami, led by Head Coach and Manager Nestor Miranda and Coach Wilfred Gonzalez has experienced unprecedented success in a short period of time.  These coaches had the goal and ability to assemble a talented group of ball players from the Miami area and create an opportunity to be nationally recognized (currently ranked 8th in the TBS national preseason ranking).   After assembling the team in October of 2007, Team Miami received an at large bid to participate in the 2007 St. Augustine Triple Crown Nationals.  Team Miami went undefeated in their first tournament and dominated the field capturing the 2007 St. Augustine Triple Crown National Championship.  As a result of this achievement, Team Miami made a name for them selves and put all others on notice that Team Miami is a team to be reckoned with.

Over the past 2 short months Team Miami has participated in six 12U tournaments while compiling a perfect 30-0 record while capturing all 6 titles including two Triple Crown and two USSSA events.  In an attempt to grow and develop as a team, Coach Miranda entered the 13U USSSA sanctioned Miramar Madness tournament in January.  Team Miami went in with the goal to be competitive as they played against older, stronger and faster 13 year olds.  After reaching the championship round, Team Miami thoughts quickly went from being competitive to "let’s win this thing".  Ultimately the 54 foot pitching mound, 80 foot bases and powerful 13U Coral Spring Diamonds team (TBS pre-season 8 ranked team in 13U) was too much for Team Miami to over come.  Team Miami lost in the championship game by a score of 8-4.  Considering the event and conditions, Team Miami showed it can play with the big boys.  Through the span of 40 games Team Miami has scored 424 runs while only allowing only 51. As dominating as this is, Team Miami will not rest on its laurels. Team Miami will embark on a lengthy training regimen based on the philosophy to practice hard and practice as often as possible. Team Miami emphasis on practice, skills and conditioning will prepare them for the challenge of week long national events.

Experience - Even though the team has little experience playing together they are rich with individual seasoned experience.  Members of Team Miami have played in prestigious national events all over the country to include capturing championships in the Pony World Series (Texas), Cooperstown Dreams Park (New York), Cooperstown Classic (New York), Caribbean Cup (Santo Domingo), Cal Ripken (South Carolina), and Disney’s World Series (Florida) as well as countless Regional USSSA and Triple Crown championship games.

Pitching - The team excels in all aspects of the game however the most defining element is their pitching.  The amazing pitching staff is anchored by left hander Justin Miranda and righties Julio Gonzalez, Ricki Marrero and Javy Herrera.  All four have the ability to go the distance while dominating the opposition’s line-up.  Over the 40+ games played, these four, along with the other 8-members of the pitching staff, have only allowed 1.2 runs per game.  The pitching talent is so rich that all 13 Team Miami players could be considered starters on most teams.  As a result, any one pitcher could be asked to throw on Championship Day.  Due to injury two other dominating pitchers have not toed the rubber.  Left handed pitcher Anthony Gonzalez and Erik Montero have not thrown for Team Miami but will soon.
Offense – Offensively, Team Miami is just as amazing with weapons up and down the line-up.  The line-up averages over 10 runs per game. The offense is led by two dynamic players, Julio Gonzalez and Brandon Vicens.  These two are the lead-off hitters and set the table for the others that devour the RBIs.  Their ability to get on base and aggressive base running drives defenses and coaches crazy.  But Brandon and Julio's are not the only ones with speed.  Both Jonathon Ferrer and Jaden Garcia are .500 plus hitters with speed that makes them virtually impossible to get out.  The team is very athletic and everyone is expected to put pressure on the defense by being aggressive on the base path.  Speed is only one aspect of the offense.  Combined Team Miami has a .545 team average.  Seven of Team Miami players are switch hitters.  The corner stone of the offense is led by 5-tool player Ricki Marrero a truly gifted player that has crowds gathering and spectators waiting for his next 300 plus shot.  This dynamic offense is also led by .700 hitters Javy Herrera and Anthony Gonzalez.  Additional power hitters are Anthony De La Cruz and Spencer Levine.  Rounding out the offense is "new comer" Richie Sotolongo who brings additional offense and pitching.  As mentioned earlier, fresh off the injury reserve (out for 2-months) is Erik Montero.  Erik adds another high average to the line-up.

Defense - With everything said about pitching and the offense, it is easy to overlook the defense.  Probably the most amazing thing about this team is the defense.  It will be virtually impossible to match-up defensively against this team as it is led by what many consider to be the finest infield in the 12U age group. The defense is led by hard-throwing catcher Anthony De La Cruz and three middle infielders - Ricki, Brandon and Julio.  Protecting the corners are two of the best defensive players in South Florida at their respective positions, Alec at third and Justin at first.

Team – According to many, this team is as talented as any that has been assembled in South Florida.  This is a group of young players that will not rest until they achieve their dreams of playing their best against the best at the best tournaments.  You can follow their progress at www.eteamz.com/teammiami.

Travel Ball Select encourages Team Miami to follow their dreams, continuously improve, and play with class in victory and defeat.  Remember, to whom much is given, much is expected.  Team Miami has been given much.

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