The 14U Chandler Reds are described as a team with a winning pedigree but a homegrown backyard feel. This ball club has been together through more than just travel ball. The local coaches realized they had some special talent in the Chandler National Little League district. That’s when coaches Chris McCann, Clay Bellinger, and John Burton began grooming their local 11 year old players for big things. 

They began playing together as a travel club in 2006 and continued through Little League, age twelve. By the end of that season they had won the Arizona State Championship, then went to California and won the Western Regional. As a matter of fact, they were the Western representatives at Williamsport in 2007. The Reds continued their winning ways through travel ball as they advanced to majors and played their 13U season by winning every tournament except three. Notably one of the three “losses” was placing second in the 2007 Super Series Winter Nationals. The Reds also settled for 2nd place while playing up in a 14U event, but during that same season, Coach McCann’s squad recorded some notable wins. Among those wins were the Triple Crown Spring Championship in Phoenix, Arizona, the LVBA Memorial Day Bash, and the USSSA / Triple Crown State Championships.
The Chandler Reds have only replaced a few players in its history and all of them have come from the backyard of Chandler, Arizona.  Coach McCann says the team’s philosophy is to stay focused on local talent. The coaching philosophy revolves around the professional experience of Coach Clay Bellinger, who spent four years in the bigs and almost a dozen in the minors.
The Reds are taught to respect the game, sportsmanship, and are constantly pushed to play at the best of their ability.                                                                                   

During this 2008-2009 season the Chandler 14U team continues to impress with their recent accomplishments. In fact, they have won all sanctioned 14U tournaments they’ve entered in 2009.  Not to mention, two 2nd place finishes in 16U tournaments. The Reds have also secured a berth in the Orlando Elite 32 by winning the 2009 USSSA Winter Nationals Super NIT in Phoenix.  Look for the local talent from Arizona to play with skill, teamwork, and pride this July in the Elite 32 World Series in Orlando, Florida. The unity of this team will continue beyond Orlando when eight of the 12 players currently on the team, along with two former Red’s team members will all play at the same high school!  That’s bad news for the rest of the local Chandler high school teams.

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