For the 8-year-olds on the all-girls Creeks Softball team, softball isn’t just an after-school activity. It’s an opportunity to learn the game, discover camaraderie and be a part of a team, a team that works hard to win championships.
After winning the Florida State Championship and taking home the win for the 8U (age 8 and under) division, they went on to win their biggest title yet — Champions of the Babe Ruth World Series – for the second year in a row. Babe Ruth Softball is an international youth softball league, and the world series invitational invites teams from all over the country. The girls competed for the title on Aug. 3.
“These girls beat out every team in the U.S., including Puerto Rico,” said Coach Luis Cordero. “They’ve worked so hard this year and this win, as well as the fact that they ended their season undefeated 36-0, proves they’re the best of the best.”
Cordero has been with the Creeks Softball Association for three years, coaching for seven years, and is proud to lead these ladies on and off the field.
“I love coaching and teaching the game of softball,” he said. “But what I love most is seeing how this team has come together and hustled to new heights, both on and off the field.”
The 8U Softball World Series tournament was held in Jensen Beach, Florida, and proved exciting. The Creeks Softball team went 7-0, and their explosive offense scored 83 runs during the tournament and their defense only allowed 14 runs. Their winning streak continued to their final game against Jamesville 8U from North Carolina.
“Believe in yourself; there is no one better for the job!” exclaimed Georgia Griffin, short stop for the team.
And that’s exactly what this team did, clinching the title with a final winning score of 8-3.
“I know this is an accomplishment the girls are proud of,” said Cordero. “Everybody came together: the assistant coaches, the players and the parents. The girls always came ready to practice, to learn and get better. Hopefully, they will always remember the line that I would say to them at practice and before games, ‘Have 100% focus, give 100% effort, and have a positive attitude.’ I firmly believe if you approach anything in life with this in mind, you will succeed. And wow, did the girls succeed!”
The 2023 Babe Ruth World Series Champions for 8U invite the public to celebrate at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 for a ring ceremony on Field 4 at Aberdeen Park, 1401 Shetland Drive, St. Johns.
Creeks Softball Association (CSA) is a branch of Creeks Athletic Association, a not-for-profit focused on the advancement and development of youth athletics. CSA is the largest youth girls’ softball league in Northwest St. Johns County, with more than 390 girls playing recreational and advanced softball. They offer two softball seasons: instructional/recreational season in the fall and competitive season in the spring, as well as run various camps and clinics throughout the year. For more information, go to creekssoftball.com.
