They’ve had dreams of reaching the Little League World Series and playing games televised by ESPN and ABC. But in recent years, Benicia’s 11/12 all-star baseball teams have had trouble getting out of their own district.

MANAGER RAY MARTIN (left) hopes his Benicia 11/12 all-stars can get past the District 53 Tournament.

Benicia’s 11/12 “Majors” all-stars haven’t won the District 53 championship since 2007 and have gone a combined 4-8 over the past four years – including 0-2 last year. This year’s squad hopes to change all that starting Friday morning when Benicia plays either North Vallejo or host East Vallejo in their 2014 debut.

“Our district is tough,” noted Benicia 11/12 manager Ray Martin, who guided the bulk of this team to a 2-2 record in last year’s 10/11 all-star tournament. “There are a lot of good teams. It’s going to be a dogfight where games are gonna go back and forth. We just have to stay focused for all six innings and never give up. I think we’re ready.”

Like most all-star teams, Benicia isn’t hurting for solid pitching. Nate Freeman, the top pitcher for the Athletics this season, is expected to start for Benicia on Friday. Freeman is a power pitcher who can blow away batters.

“We have a feeling we’re going to be playing North Vallejo and they have a pitcher who throws really hard, so we want to come right back at them with someone who also throws hard,” Martin said. “We’re just trying to fight fire with fire.”

Richard Mealey is the No. 2 pitcher after leading the Phillies to the Benicia Little League World Series last month. Other players expected to see lots of pitching time include Jaxson Bates, Sammy Peterson and Leli Fifita. Benicia has 11 players who are capable of pitching, though none are left handed.

The offense is impressive and features 11 players who hit a home run this spring. Freeman, who will likely hit in the clean-up spot, led Benicia Little League with seven home runs during the regular season. Fifita and Toby Stritter each hit four homers while Mealey and Zion Trammell each hit three.

Speedster Joey Tan of the Twins will lead off, with fellow speedsters Bates and Shane Martin of the World Series champion Red Sox batting third and second, respectively.

“The top of our lineup knows how to get on base and they’ll find ways to score,” coach Martin said. “They’re very quick and they can bunt or hit the long ball. They’re very versatile. And then hopefully our middle hitters will clear the bases when we get guys on.

“We don’t have any weak links. They’re going to make mistakes. I just hope they know how to rebound from those mistakes and not make multiple mistakes.”

Martin coached the Red Sox to a World Series championship last month and sees that same potential in his 11/12 all-stars.

“I have a good feeling about these boys. This group has been playing together for three years – either through Little League or with a travel baseball team. They’re baseball saavy and they understand that it’s a team concept, that they have to play as a team. I really feel confident about them.”

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