5-22-12

L to R: Heath Carroll and Aaron Brown at the at the Next Level Baseball Joe Ferolito All-Star game in Tallahassee

Madison County Cowboy baseball players Heath Carroll and Aaron Brown displayed their diamond talents at the Next Level Baseball Joe Ferolito All-Star game held on Saturday, May 19th, at Tallahassee Community College. The game pitted stars from Tallahassee against a team comprised of players from the rural areas of the Big Bend. Team Tallahassee triumphed by a score of 10-7, but Carroll and Brown represented the Cowboys and the rural team well. Carroll had two hits, including an RBI double to the gap in left center field. Brown was two for three, with a pair of singles, a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored in four plate appearances.

Both players were error-less in the field. Carroll played first base and pitched. Brown put in seven innings of work at the shortstop position. The rural team included players from Quincy Munroe, East Gadsden, South Walton, Sneads, Taylor County, Suwannee County, Vernon, Wewahitchka, and Wakulla. Team Tallahassee included players from Leon, Lincoln, Godby, Florida High, Maclay, Chiles, North Florida Christian, and Rickards high schools. The game was played in honor and recognition of long-time Quincy recreation leader, coach, and umpire, Joe Ferolito. Ferolito is often referred to as ‘Double Bubble’ for his long-time practice of handing a piece of bubble gum to players after a good hit or play.

Carroll and Brown attended the Next Level Baseball banquet on Friday night. Ernie Sims III was the guest speaker, along with Ferolito. Players on both teams were recognized and given a t-shirt commemorating their selection to the teams. The game was played in a fourteen-inning format to allow all players a good chance to show their talents.