The West Boynton Travel Cobras 10U baseball team recently had an opportunity to continue to improve and reach a higher level on the diamond as it enjoyed a learning experience from players at the collegiate level. The Cobras joined together with the Palm Beach State College baseball team for a practice and clinic session at the Lake Worth campus.
The Palm Beach State College baseball players worked with the Cobras on defensive fundamentals. The Cobras players also took batting practice during the session.
Dax Rankine, who is the head coach of the Cobras 10U squad, previously served as the pitching coach at Palm Beach State College during the spring of 2011 and also was the team’s associate head coach from 2012 to 2013.
Palm Beach State College baseball head coach Kyle Forbes reached out to Rankine to bring the Cobras to the field as they interacted and received instruction from the collegiate players. Forbes had coached Rankine while he played under his direction at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
“Kyle spoke to our kids about the importance of practicing the fundamentals and more importantly, the opportunities that will be available by making good grades in school,” Rankine said. “Our kids gained so much from this day at Palm Beach State and I am so grateful that we had this opportunity.”
During Rankine’s stint with Palm Beach State College, they were the state runner-up in 2012 and the state champions in 2013. They also reached the national championship game and finished as the 2013 JUCO National runner-up after a 7-3 loss to Central Alabama in Grand Junction, Colorado.
“Palm Beach State College’s athletics is so important to our community,” Rankine said. “Their JUCO baseball program has provided a pathway to the MLB for local players like Tony Cruz, Dante Bichette and Brad Peacock. They recently dropped their softball program, which brings concerns to all of their athletic programs. Hopefully, the Palm Beach State College board of trustees will realize how important athletics is at the Junior College level.”
Forbes noted the Palm Beach State baseball team enjoys having the opportunity to host clinics with youth baseball programs in the community each season.
“The West Boynton kids had a great attitude,” he said. “They have talented players and are going to have a great season. We were able to work in smaller groups and our players really had the chance to get to know them and help with their hitting and defense. It was a lot of fun for our team.”
Forbes said he also was glad to work together again with Rankine.
“When you spend countless hours at the field with your players and coaches, I am really able to form a bond with them,” he said. “It’s special to continue to have those great relationships.”
The Cobras 10U team recently finished as the runner-up during the Okeeheelee Halloween Slam. They had rallied from behind during two games in the tournament to reach the final. In the fall campaign, they have enjoyed success with a 16-5 record through October.
The West Boynton Travel Cobras 10U baseball team includes Julen Phan, Beckett Noll, Gavin Rankine, Andrew Wyckoff, Trenton Schleifer, Gracyn Needle, Gabriel Coupet, Frankie Benedetto, Braden Alexander, Mason Vasquez, Brian Bechtel, and Chris Cooke. Rankine is joined by assistant coaches Chris Alexander and David Vasquez.
Alex Kushel is a South Florida Community News correspondent.
