It was February 2013 when 10 young girls, mostly 8 to 9 years old, took the field at Miami Lakes Optimist Park to play softball. The current softball program was only handling a 14 and younger program because they were the only girls that signed up. The younger girls (under 12) were advised to join baseball as an alternative.
“I had signed up my daughter to play softball in hopes of getting a girls team that she would enjoy playing on. She had played basketball before, but it was dominated by boys, and I wanted her to play with and against girls,” said Marcos Gutierrez, assistant coach of the Miami Lakes Rockies.
Gutierrez, along with two other dads made a commitment that season that they would get this program off the ground and provide the girls with an opportunity to play. During that spring season, the girls worked hard on learning the basics and later scrimmaged against themselves for competition.
“I still remember our first practice where only two of our girls could throw from third to first without the ball bouncing a few times. I knew our work was cut out for us,” said Ed Londono, head coach of the Miami Lakes Rockies. “But little by little, they got stronger and their confidence started to build. At season’s end, we were ready to take the field and compete.”
In the fall of 2013, the young team (donning the jerseys of the Gators) competed against some teams in Miami Springs and Driftwood. It was a short season, but the lady Gators finished the season 4-2. They were now ready for rec ball, a formal league, and joined the West Pines alliance in the Spring of 2014. By this time, a second team was formed because of the growing interest in Optimist softball.
“We were very young and I knew that the competition level would be significantly higher. It was going to be a major growing pain, and we needed to focus on the learning experience and not the win-loss column,” explained Londono.
A “growing pain” was putting it mildly. The team (now sporting Seminole jerseys) proceeded to go 0-11. Despite some highlights throughout the season, the team wasn’t able to muster a single win.
The team was outmatched by talent and experience. “I could see that we were getting better. That was very encouraging. When you’re losing, it’s hard to appreciate that. Luckily, the girls hung in there and the coaches remained patient,” added Londono.
Going into this season in September, the girls became the Miami Lakes Rockies. Practices doubled up and the intensity was increased.
“There were things we needed to clean up defensively and we needed the girls to be more aggressive at the plate,” said Oscar Rodriguez, assistant coach. The team was now a year older and much better. The Rockies scrimmaged often with their sister team, the Lady Mustangs, to prepare for the season.
After going 1-1 to start the season, the Rockies rattled off 8 consecutive wins to finish the regular season at 9-1 and in first place. It was a “worst to first” finish. The team includes Ceci Valle, Emily Medina, Alyssa Crespo, Cecilia Rodriguez, Sarah Gutierrez, Madison Aguilera, May Morales, Madison Lodono, Ashley Arleaga, Nicole Rodriguez and Sabrina Rhea.
“The kids have worked so hard, and the amount of improvement is incredible,” said Evelyn Ortiz, whose daughter Cecilia has been with the team from the start. The Miami Lakes Optimist Club hopes to have a 12-under and 10-under team in January 2015 to complement its 14-under program. For more information visit www.miamilakesoptimist.org.