Seasonal Fun on the Diamond
Play Ball!
All along the Emerald Coast, youngsters and those who remain young at heart wait patiently through the winter for that inspiring sound of someone hollering, “Play ball!” These days, that can mean boys and girls starting as young as 4 years old, or adults of any age ranging into their 60s.
Use the arrow buttons at the upper right-hand side of the page to view all the EC All-Stars.
Want to join in America’s favorite pastime? Here’s your chance.
Check out all the places to play below:
Destin Little League
Tee Ball ages 4–6
Machine Pitch Baseball ages 7–8
Kid Pitch Baseball, ages 9–10
Kid Pitch Majors Baseball ages 11–12
Kid Pitch Juniors/Seniors Baseball, ages 13–16
Machine Pitch Softball ages 7–10
Majors Fast Pitch Softball ages 9–12
Games are played at Dalton Threadgill Park and the Morgan Sports Complex.
For more information, visit destinlittleleague.net.
Destin Adult softball and kickball played at the Morgan Sports Complex.
Fort Walton Beach
Youth Boys Baseball League
Tee Ball ages 5–6
Machine Pitch ages 7–8
Kid Pitch Minors ages 9–10
Kid Pitch Majors ages 11–12
Games are played at City Hall ball fields, Ferry Park, Jet Drive and Seabreeze Park.
Youth Girls Softball League
Machine Pitch ages 9–12
Games are played at City Hall ball fields.
Adult Slow Pitch Softball
Men’s League and Church League
Games are played at the Okaloosa County Fairgrounds and Chester Pruitt Park.
Freeport Youth Sports
Tee Ball ages 4–7
Machine Pitch Baseball ages 8–9
Minors Kid Pitch Baseball ages 9–10
Majors Kid Pitch Baseball ages 11–12
Slow Pitch Softball, ages 7–8
Fast Pitch Softball, ages 9–10
Fast Pitch Softball, ages 11–12
Games are played at the Freeport Regional Sports Complex.
For more information, find Freeport Youth Sports on Facebook.
Gulf Breeze Sports Association
Tee Ball 1, ages 4–5 (co-ed)
Tee Ball 2, ages 5–6 (co-ed)
Rookie Ball Machine pitch ages 7–8
Minors Kid Pitch, ages 9–10
Majors Kid Pitch, ages 11–12
Seniors Kid Pitch, ages 13–14
Coach Pitch Softball, ages 7–8
Kid Fast Pitch Softball, ages 9–10
12 and Under Kid Fast Pitch Softball, ages 11-–12
16 and Under Kid Fast Pitch Softball, ages 13–16
Games are played at Shoreline Park.
For more information, visit gbsasports.com and gulfbreezerecreationcenter.com.
Navarre Youth Sports Association
Tee Ball ages 4–5 1/2
Tee Ball ages 5 ½–6
Machine Pitch, ages 6–8
Kid Pitch Minors, ages 9–10
Kid Pitch Majors, ages 11–12
Kid Pitch Pony ages, 13–15
Coach Pitch Softball, ages 7–8
Fast Pitch Softball, ages 9–10
Fast Pitch Softball, ages 11–12
Fast Pitch Softball, ages 13–16
Games are played at the Navarre Youth Sports Complex.
For more information, visit nysasports.com.
Niceville–Valparaiso Little League
Tee Ball, age 4
Coach Pitch Baseball ages 5–6
Machine Pitch Baseball ages 7–8
Kid Pitch Minors, ages 9–10
Kid Pitch Majors, ages 11–12
Teen League Baseball ages 13–18
Games are played at Twin Oaks Park in Niceville and Rarick Park in Valparaiso.
For more information, e-mail info@nvllb.net.
Niceville Recreation
Girls Fast Pitch Softball, ages 5–12
Men’s Slow Pitch Softball
Women’s Slow pitch Softball
Co-ed Slow pitch Softball
Games are played at Niceville Recreation Complex.
Okaloosa Men’s Baseball
Ages 18+
Games are played at Jet Drive in FWB and at Twin Oaks in Niceville
For more information, visit ombl.org.
Pensacola
Bill Bond Baseball
Coach Pitch, ages 7–8
Kid Pitch Minors, ages 9–10
Kid Pitch Majors, ages 11–12
Kid Pitch Seniors, ages 13–14
Games are played at Roger Scott Recreation Complex.
For more information, visit billbond.org.
Girls Softball
Tee Ball, ages 5- 6
Fast Pitch, ages 7–16
Men’s Slow Pitch Softball
Co-ed Slow Pitch Softball
Adult Kickball
Games are played at Roger Scott Sports Complex and Exchange Park.
South Walton Dixie League Youth Baseball
Tee Ball, ages 5–6
Machine Pitch, ages 7–8
Minors Kid Pitch, ages 9–10
Majors Kid Pitch, ages 11–12
Majors Kid Pitch, ages 13–14
South Walton Youth Fast Pitch Softball
Ages 7–12
Games are played at Helen McCall Park in Santa Rosa Beach.
For more information, call (850) 380-5639.
Niceville High School, Class of 2014
Pitcher
Earned run average: 2.63
Hits: 65
Walks: 26
Strikeouts: 116
A recent Niceville graduate, Aja Brechtel is headed for a bright future playing college ball at one of the nations most prestigious institutions. Brechtel, who received a full scholarship to the United States Military Academy for her efforts as the varsity team’s top pitcher, is known on the field as a true leader. “She is one of the most fierce competitors I’ve ever coached,” explained Coach Danny Hensley. “She’s one of those kids who goes out and fights tooth and nail and puts her heart soul in every play of every game.”
“It helps the attitude of the whole team. She’s a great leader and is going to make a great officer.”
– Coach Hensley
Niceville High School, Class of 2014
First Base
Batting average: .360
Batting avg. with Runners in Scoring Position: .495
Fielding percentage: .977
On base percentage: .495
A positive attitude can go a long way in team sports. Destined to play college ball at the University of West Alabama, Audrey Diekmann is praised for having exactly that. Said to be the first one at the field and the last one to leave, Diekemann is the type of teammate you want on your side. “She’s a lead-by-example player,” said Coach Danny Hensley. “Everybody knows that she’s giving 110 percent, all the time.”
“She’s a natural born hitter. She’s going to be one of those college players that really excels at the next level.” – Coach Hensley.
Niceville High School, Class of 2014
Pitcher
Earned run average: 1.32
Opp. batting average: .206
Complete games: 2
Strikeouts: 72 (in 69 innings)
From soccer to basketball, Drew Dungan has always been athletically minded. In the world of baseball though, Dungan is a true champion, helping pitch his team to victory every chance he gets. In his high school career, Dungan was an instrumental part of the Niceville team. “He goes out and wins baseball games for us,” beamed Coach Joe Nedoroscik. Described by those close to him as a confident player, Dungan’s ambitions for his future in collegiate and professional ball are limitless.
“He’s our No. 1 pitcher for the team. He’s a big part of our success.” – Coach Nedoroscik
Rocky Bayou Christian School, Class of 2016
Pitcher
14 WINS, 3 LOSSES
Earned run average: 0.03
Complete games: 17
Strikeouts: 191
Coming from a dynasty of collegiate level players, baseball runs in Sam Holcomb’s veins. “She’s very strong and a fierce competitor,” said mother and high school coach Lynn Holcomb. “She loves to play.” As for the future, this all-star player is looking forward to finishing out her successful high school career, and has her eye set on a college scholarship.
“My advice would be to always play hard and to remember where her talent came from. We believe in trying to honor the Lord with what we do on the softball field. Enjoy every minute.”
– Lynn Holcomb, coach/mother
Niceville High School, Class of 2014
Third Base, Pitcher
Batting average: .385
Runs batted in: 20
Hits: 35
Doubles: 10
Cody Moore is a “strong” player in every sense of the word. Moore is known as a hard hitter and a versatile member of the Niceville team. “He knocks in a lot of our runs,” said Coach Joe Nedoroscik. “He also plays the outfield for us.” Also among Moore’s most noteworthy attributes is his laid-back disposition, a big plus when tensions run high in a heated game. As a pitcher, he’s been clocked at more than 90 miles an hour.
“He’s very in control of his emotions, and he plays the game at a real relaxed level.”
– Coach Nedoroscik
Paxton High School, Class of 2016
Pitcher, First Base, Center Field
Batting average: .529
Earned run average: 0.53
Strikeouts: 67 (in 40 innings)
Slugging percentage: .743
On Paxton High School’s varsity baseball team, Grant Stewart is known as “the guy” to his fellow teammates. A leader in academics as well as athletics, Stewart has been playing varsity ball since the 7th grade. Today, he’s as comfortable pitching as he is playing first base and center field. As for the future, Stewart’s got his heart set on playing at the collegiate level — a goal his coach is certain he won’t have any problem achieving.
“He’s just a great kid. As far as a baseball standpoint, he’s the leader. Everyone rallies behind him. They look up to him, even though he’s an underclassman.”
– Coach Chris Davenport
