©2009 NPT PHOTO SUBMITTED

Cocke County Reds coach Danny Hartsell takes a moment to give last minute advice as the Red prepared for
the championship game at Carter. With coach Hartsell are, from left, Jack Kyker, Alex Hutson, Tate Messer,
Wesley Lewis and Jalen Ensley.

NEWPORT-Don't look now, but Cocke County has a new baseball team, and they have found plenty of victories already.

The Cocke County Reds 12-and-under squad was formed from a number of 12-yar-old ballplayers from the local Newport Parks and Recreation Department Major League teams at Newport City Park.

The squad boasts a top-notch coaching staff, including Buddy Hartsell, sons Danny and Blaine Hartsell, Mike Kyker, Mason Kitzmiller and Mike Stone. Buddy is well known across Tennessee as a class act, not only as a coach, but as a long-time official as well. Buddy has forgotten more about baseball than most people will probably learn in a lifetime. And now his sons, Danny and Blaine, are following in his footsteps, not only as coaches but as officials as well.

The youngest coach, Mason Kitzmiller, is a former Cocke County High School standout, and is currently playing on the college level.

Mike Kyker has been instrumental in organizing the team, and along with his wife Julie, collecting donations to fund the team.

Mike Stone has also been a great asset to the coaching staff due to his vast knowledge of the game.

Most of the squad members have played ball together since their Coach Pitch baseball days. The squad, formed only a few weeks ago, have literally stormed out of the dugout to place in every tournament they have entered.

In just four weeks, the team has cracked 14 homeruns with Tyler Woods leading the way with five, Jack Kyker and D.J. Haney with three each, Tate Messer with two and Jalen Ensley with one. As a team, they have plated 118 runs against their opponents.

The Reds began the season with a first-place finish in Seymour, and most recently finished 2nd in a tournament at Knox Carter. Of the four games played in the Carter tournament, the Reds had two substantial victories with the first game's final score at 15-0 and Tate Messer pitching a no-hitter. Game two was a huge win as well, a 24-2 affair, with Tyler Woods getting the victory on the mound. The squad has also played in tournament in Greeneville, Seymour a second time and in Rogersville. The most recent tournament was played in Rogersville where the Reds finished fourth, their lowest placed finish in any tournament thus far.

It's obvious that our Reds have what it takes to be even more successful. The squad plans to enter into several more tournaments during the summer months, so stay tuned.