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July 18, 2008

Local player wins home run derby

By Justin Graves

His friends call him “Big Poppy.” Judging from his tall, bulky stature, the nickname is fitting.

No, we’re not talking about David Ortiz. But this young man looks up to the Boston Red Sox star that shares the same nickname.

Instead, this younger version of “Big Poppy” is Maurico Rosas, and he’s a power hitter for the Cullman 11U All-Stars.

Rosas may not be a Major League All-Star like his icon, but his power at the plate has caught the attention of a few people at Heritage Park.

Shortly after the opening ceremonies for the Dizzy Dean 11U World Series had concluded Thursday afternoon, Rosas put on a show during the tournament’s home run derby. In fact, a few people at Heritage Park were still talking about one particular homer during Cullman’s opening game Friday morning.

“(Rosas) hit one that was sky high,” Cullman pitcher Drew Berry said. “It cleared the first fence easily and it almost cleared the second fence. That one was a shot.”

Rosas went on to hit three homers in the competition, which was good for first place. His teammate, Cole Lay, also advanced to the second round of the home run derby.

“I wasn’t really nervous,” Rosas said. “I was just having fun.”

Heading into the home run derby, Rosas wasn’t sure if he could win. But his teammates were a lot more confident.

“Oh yeah, we knew he would win,” said Lay, who hit one homer in the contest. “He can crush the ball.”

While Rosas was winning the home run derby, a few of his teammates were busy competing in the other events.

“I did the Around the Horn contest,” Tevin Murray said. “But we didn’t do so good.”

When asked how the Cullman team finished in the Around the Horn contest, Cole Brown just shook his head.

“I’d rather not say,” he said with a laugh.

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