The Business of Sports on the Space Coast: Delaware Hayes Softball Team Enjoys Cocoa Beach Spring Training

all teams eat, sleep, practice and play at Cocoa Beach Spring Training with affordable prices and great facilities

BREVARD COUNTY, COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA – The Delaware Hayes High School girls fast pitch softball team from Ohio recently spent their spring break working on their skills at Cocoa Beach Spring Training on Florida’s Space Coast.

“We loved it and the girls got a lot out of it,” said coach Mark Thomas, who leads the school’s talented softball student-athletes. “Cocoa Beach is a perfect location for our needs.”

Delaware has had a steady program since 2004 when it reached its first district final. The Pacers won their only district title the following year, and after last season’s 14-2 loss in six innings to Mount Vernon, they are 0-5 in that round since. They also have reached the district semifinal round every year since 2011.

Delaware Hayes softball coach Mark Thomas is pleased with senior catcher Myaih Cloud who has a calming influence when times get tough.

“She’s just a settling mind,” Thomas said. “She never loses her cool. Even if I got a bad umpire behind the plate and I’m frustrated, she comes up to me and says, ‘Hey, we got this. Relax – we’re good.’ She comes up to me and gives me confidence. She’s just so calm-minded.”

Cloud was first-team all-district and OCC-Capital Player of the Year last season after batting .500 with 39 hits, including 10 home runs, and driving in 29 runs.

Senior Kami Slayton (3B) batted .476 with 39 hits, five home runs and 35 RBI. She and Cloud have committed to Fairmont State.

“(Slayton) is also our ‘hype man,’ for sure,” Cloud said. “She is always in the dugout cheering us on. She’s going to go out there and work her hardest to keep the balls in the infield – she’s going to dive and she’s going to get dirty.”

Junior Lauren Tompkins (SS) led the offense, batting .576 with 49 hits, five home runs and 34 RBI. Senior Olivia Nelson (1B) hit .485 with 33 hits, including 12 home runs, and 39 RBI.

Slayton was second-team all-district and first-team all-league, Tompkins was honorable mention all-district and first-team all-league, Nelson was first-team all-league and senior Brianna Richey (OF) was special mention all-league.

Sophomore Maddie Kiss had a strong season in the circle, going 17-1 with a 3.44 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 110 innings. She won’t be alone, though, as senior Kassy Stefanski, who previously attended Centennial, and freshman Bronwynn Leighty will both see time.

“They’re all very different pitchers,” Cloud said. “Maddie is going to bring the heat. She is always ready to attack. Bronwynn has a lot of confidence in herself. Kassy has a lot of spin and is going to be a very key part to our pitching staff.”

Every spring, college and high school softball and baseball teams from all over the U.S.A, head south to the sunny, beautiful Space Coast and its beaches for Cocoa Beach Baseball/Softball Spring Training – one of the nation’s oldest and largest Spring Training programs.

All scheduling of games and practices is performed by a former highly experienced college coach who understands the importance of making the schedule as complete as possible for each team so that teams can get the practice and game schedule that they need to meet their goals.

The team’s previous won-loss record and other factors are used to match opponents. The schedule of each team is given undivided attention by the professional sports management team who communicates directly with each team on an ongoing basis to maximize the opportunity for each team.

“If you are looking for a great week of softball or baseball in a great spring location, Cocoa Beach Baseball Spring Training on Florida’s beautiful Space Coast is the perfect choice for your next spring trip.”

At the end of a hard day of training and play, teams can relax and unwind by visiting the Space Coast’s finest site. The excellent softball fields of Cocoa Beach Spring Training are at the $25m Chain of Lakes Softball Park, located on Florida’s Space Coast just a short drive from beautiful Cocoa Beach. For more info, visit CocoaBeachBaseballSpringTraining.com

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