Tom Bryce, Jaime Montes, Scott Johnson : Wood Creek All Star Team
Placer Sports: Having a team as talented as your 11/12 year old Woodcreek All Star team, is it difficult trying to manage playing time?
Bryce: Yes, it was hard keeping all thirteen players happy. We (coaches) had an idea what we wanted to do each game and managed each game to our best ability.
Placer Sports: Is there one moment with your team that stands out the most from this summer?
Bryce: Our goal was to improve the outfield defense and we did.
Placer Sports: What are some of things you enjoy about managing not only this team, but managing youth baseball in general?
Bryce: Teaching the players the proper way of playing baseball and watching them succeed.
Placer Sports: With the rise in popularity of travel ball, where do you see youth baseball in 10 years?
Bryce: I see the biggest change in the Junior Division (13-14). A lot of local players are playing travel ball full time when they reach the age of 13. I do not see anything changing at the younger level.
Placer Sports: A lot of teams have talented players, and certainly your Woodcreek team had plenty of talent. Aside from talent, what made your team unique?
Montes: The camaraderie of the players. These are friends that have been playing baseball together for a long time. They understood each other’s personalities and traits so everyone got along very well. Focus and dedication. Whether it was team practice; or BP with a parent every player on this team worked hard on improving their game. Players went the extra mile by hitting after practice or working on their game on off days. I am very proud of that. Family support. We had the best group of families out there supporting the team at every game and that made a huge difference.
Placer Sports: Is there a moment with your team that stands out the most from this summer?
Montes: Hard to say. There were so many great moments throughout this All Star run. As a dad it was cool to hang out with my son Alex in the dugout. As a coach it was nice to be around all the players and interact with Scott and Tom. A lot of good memories with this team. The two that probably stand out the most this year are the D54 and Section 2 championship victories.
Placer Sports: What do you see as the differences between the kids that play little league today versus the kids who played 20-30 years ago?
Montes: Opportunity: With all the leagues, clinics, facilities, personal coaching and travel ball available the average kid has a tremendous amount of resources available to them to improve their game. Bats: They sure seem to have a lot of pop now. Combine a good swing with a good bat and 250 to 270ft home runs are a reality at the Major division level. I don’t think my old $12.95 aluminum bat would do much good in this day and age.
Placer Sports: Talk about the demands of managing a little league baseball team, while serving as a board member.
Montes: No demands at all. If anything, it was a pleasure being able to manage a team and to help improve our league as a board member.
Placer Sports: Is there a particular team or opposing player that really impressed you and/or your coaching staff?
Johnson: All of the teams at the Division level were very talented. As for local talent, El Dorado Hill South and Rocklin had very talented teams. Pitcher from Briarwood El Camino. He was 5’10”, left handed, and threw 75-80 mph. He struck out 19 of 20 batters in the first game of the Division tournament. He also hit 24 homeruns during the regular season and could run like the wind. He was an incredible athlete.
Placer Sports: Is there a moment with you team that stands out the most from this summer?
Johnson: Championship game against Rocklin in the Section Tournament. Rocklin was very tight and nervous – our team showed up loose and ready to play. Final score: Woodcreek 10, Rocklin 0. Couldn’t have been prouder of the team.
Placer Sports: Tell us something about your team that no one would know about (It could be routine, a funny moment, and inside joke).
Johnson: This is a very close group of kids who have been playing together for 3 years. Lots of superstitions within the group. Had to warm up for each game exactly the same and in the same order.
Placer Sports: What do you like most about coaching?
Johnson: Spending time with the boys and being around baseball; watching when the players finally get what we are trying to teach them; experiencing the highs and lows of a season; spending time with all of the baseball families; bringing a group of players together and watching them grow as a team.
