Derek Hines was banking on his select Playball Sports baseball team to make some noise next year, but the high school players surprised him with performances that netted a berth at the National Baseball Championship tournament in Wichita Kan.

PlayBall lost 7-1 Aug. 5 to the San Diego Waves, but since they were playing teams comprised of Division 1 and junior college players from around the country, it was still a sweet way to close out their record-breaking season.

Local players on the team include Charlie Basil, of D'Evelyn Junior/Senior; Zac Baldini,

Jimi King and Jordan Krenik of Green Mountain High School; Brad Zewe of Pomona and Travis hayes, Dylan Dwyer, Matt Jones, Sean Konrad and Peter Herrin of Ralston Valley HS.

Hines said they won six tournaments in as many states: Utah, Wyoming, Washington, California, Oklahoma and Kansas.

During recent fall tryouts, 90 kids showed up.

While Hines coordinates the select team which plays in fall and summer, his dad Jeff is the pitching coach.

Besides good team chemistry, each coach credited the other for the success of the team, but emphasized the players were the ones who finished with 56-15 record.

Derek, a three-sport athlete, played state championship baseball for Arvada West High School and was drafted twice by the BlueJays, finishing his professional career with the Chicago Cubs, said, "You can't win that many games without being really tough mentally."

When he is not traveling with the baseball team, Derek is a professional long driver.

Derek praised his dad's simple pitching approach as key to the wins this season, with a 2.07 team ERA.

"That's incredible at this level," Derek said.

Jeff, who does recruiting, as well as coaching, admitted they are tough on the team.

"Out biggest challenge is the cost expense of hiring umpires, travel plans and field rentals. That's Derek's job," Jeff said.

Hines said the traveling team has had more than 250 scholarships signed by players in the nine years the organization has been in existence, with 23 major league draft picks and four current major leaguers.

Hines called Green Mountain student and Jeffco player of the year, Matt Wollenzin one of the best players in Colorado and said Pierce Johnson, of Arvada, was drafted by the Tampa Rays, but will attend college instead at Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo.

The Playball Sports fall season kicks off this week with practices at Harold D. Lutz Sports Complex, 10664 W 58th Ave., Arvada, in preparation for a 50-game schedule.

For more information about Playball Sports, visit www.playballsportsbaseball.net.