Fort Lauderdale Hoping Experience Will Lead To Success

Ask veteran Fort Lauderdale manager Terry Portice about his team this year, and you’ll find he’s pretty excited about it.

Through a combination of word of mouth and possibly the economy, baseball is thriving at Fort Lauderdale, leaving Portice with some decisions to make on who his starters are going to be at some positions.

“This is the first year in a while we actually have some competition for some spots,” he said. “Most years, I have 12 or 13 guys. It was pretty clear-cut unless somebody was late to practice or late to a game, they’re going to start. So I think we’re going to be better specifically for the competition for positions. I think that’s what makes the Flanagans and the St. Thomases. They always have competition for positions. And this year, we have some of that, so it’s really going to help us.”

The Flying L’s, who lost just two seniors to graduation, will be looking to improve upon their 11-10 record last year with five returning starters. First baseman Alec Bryant “became a real defensive guy” last year, Portice said. Matt Gibson at second base is an “outstanding young man who does a great job,” and Portice said he’s “looking for big things” from center fielder Brandon Rodriguez. Short stop Hunter Kay probably will move over to third base, Portice said. Left fielder Alex Honner had maybe one error last year, he said.

“We’ve got some experienced kids who shouldn’t panic in any situation,” Portice said. “I’m looking for a pretty decent year from them.”

The Flying L’s have ace Brad Smith back for his fourth varsity season. Smith went 5-5 with 60 strikeouts and a 2.08 ERA in 64 innings last year.

“I made a little joke last year that the kids got a big kick out of,” Portice said. “I called him the silent assassin because by looking at the mound you really can’t tell if he’s up 10 or down 10. He’s a real quiet competitor. He’s pitched for me on the varsity since a freshman. He’s seen really good teams. I don’t think he’s awed by anybody. This year, even in the fall, his location is outstanding. If he hits his spots, he’s going to be downright devastating.”

Smith said he plans on picking up where he left over last year.

“I’m a returning captain and will continue to lead this team hopefully far into districts and hopefully into regionals,” Smith said. “Our chemistry is good. We have a lot of experience. Hopefully that can get us through.”

Jason Jeffrey, whom Portice said is throwing real well this fall, came on at the end of last year and this year is “looking really, really sharp. Right now, if I was to pick a number two, he’s be the number two guy on the squad.”

Behind Smith and Jeffrey, Fort Lauderdale can rely on position players to pitch effectively and throw strikes.

“We’re not going to blow a 90 mph fastball by anybody, but they hit their spots and keep the ball down, and that’s what we want,” Portice said. “We want ground balls. If we get ground balls, we’re going to be fine.”

The Flying L’s have the top of the order returning, so hitting is expected to be solid this year. Top hitter Kenny Miggins, who isn’t playing this fall to concentrate on his academics, hit a team-leading .414 last year and scored 19 runs. Matt Gibson was right behind him, batting .321, and Smith hit .299.

Miggins, who hits for a little pop, had a .493 on-base percentage last year and is a good baserunner, Portice said.

“Gibby behind him does everything,” he said. “Gibby hits behind the runner well. He’s a great bunter and outstanding baserunner.”

Smith hit near .300 for the third year in a row and led the team in RBIs for the second time in his three years on the varsity team.

“I thought they all did a solid job last year and hope to see some improvement this year,” Portice said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had the top of the order returning. I’ll be disappointed if we don’t swing the sticks this year.”

With the experience his team has, Portice went heavier on the schedule for next season and has the Flying L’s squaring off against Coral Springs, Santaluces and Monarch in a tournament as well as hosting Cardinal Gibbons and traveling to Monarch in regular games.

“I think we play a very tough schedule,” Portice said. “We play a real ambitious schedule. I think we see most of what we’re going to see to get a good look at a bunch of different pitchers, talented pitchers, talented teams so that by the time we get to district, I don’t think we’re going to be in awe in anybody. I think we’re going to be prepared and hopefully go out and do our jobs.”

Part of that tough schedule includes the team’s district slate, which includes Pembroke Pines Charter and Archbishop McCarthy. Fort Lauderdale lost to Pines Charter 7-4 and McCarthy 2-0 last year, playing competitively in both games.

“McCarthy is always tough They’re state champs,” Smith said. “We always play them well. We had a good game against them last year. It was down to the end. If we just play our game, then hopefully we can come out on top. We need emphasize defense and just no errors and pitching will get us through.”

Gibson is confident the team will put forth a better effort this year.

“All around the field, we have experience,” he said. “Last year, we didn’t play up to par. We could have beat the teams we lost to. I think this year we’ll do pretty well against those teams.”

Portice said he is proud of the way the players are handling themselves in the classroom, calling them a “bright group of young men” whose GPA is “truly phenomenal.” Bryant leads the team with a 4.68 GPA and is followed closely by Hunter Kay and his 4.65.

Out of the school’s senior class, the team includes the 23rd ranked senior, the 25th ranked senior and the 29th ranked senior. There also are several juniors with GPAs around 4.5 as well.

“They are true student-athletes,” Portice said. “And they do a great job in the classroom, and they do a great job out here on the field. I think a young man that has discipline in the classroom will have discipline on the ballfield. Most of the kids, we show them one time and they run with it. And that’s not usually the case in any sport. This group is a pretty doggone bright group and it saves time in practice. You don’t need to spend 25 minutes on something, you can have it done in 12 or 14 minutes and have time to get something else done in practice.”

With more players on the team and now a junior varsity squad in addition to the varsity, the extra time is appreciated. Portice attributes having more players to the economic slowdown, for one thing.

“I think the economy affected some people not being to afford private schools got them over here and they found out that there’s some pretty darn good baseball played over here,” Portice said. “I think it helped two years ago when we beat Cardinal Gibbons in the semifinals of districts. And that was still part of that time when people didn’t have money, so I think we’re getting some kids we didn’t get two, three, four years ago. I think it’s a compliment to my whole staff and the program. I think for the size of the school and the makeup of the school, I think we put a pretty quality team on the field every year as far as hustle and baseball knowledge. We may not always be the most skilled team, but I think we always come out and compete, which I’m always proud of the young men for that.”

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