Youth b-ball team to be hailed at Miracle game

Special to the Fort Myers News-Press

The Cape Coral Cannons, a local team that won the World League Baseball Tournament in the Dominican Republic last month, will be honored for their efforts Monday.

Ten children, aged 13, will combine to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Fort Myers Miracle game at 7:05 p.m. Monday at Hammond Stadium before the Miracle take on the Clearwater Threshers.

The Cannons defeated a team from the Dominican Republic 3-2 for the world title over the weekend of July 21.

There were 16 teams in that tournament, hailing from Florida, Mexico, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Dominican and California, coach Jeff Bender said.

Most of the players on the team also won four consecutive state titles for their Babe Ruth League team.

“It was an unbelievable feeling for them to win a world title,” Bender said.