Tomlin Middle School student Ben Pues credits his hitting prowess to instruction from Basilio Cabrera, a hitting coach with the Lakeland Flying Tigers. Pues had a breakout Little League season this year and already has three home runs with his Plant CIty 11-12 All-Star team through four games. Pues is hitting .727, with nine RBIs.
How long have you been playing baseball?
Since I was 4
What got you interested in it?
Just watching it on TV
What positions do you play?
First base, right field and pitcher
How did you fare during this year’s Little League season?
It went pretty well. It was probably my best season yet.
With All-Stars, to what do you credit your success at the plate?
My batting coach from the Tigers, Basilio Cabrera
How did you meet him?
When I was 11, I had a coach, and when he was leaving, he said if you have any trouble with batting, just go to him, and he’ll fix it.
How often do you go work with him?
Every Wednesday
Have you had a chance to meet any of the Tigers players?
Not any of the big players, but I’ve batted with a lot of the minor-leaguers.
What techniques has he shown you that have helped?
To explode with my hips
Your All-Star team could go to the Little League World Series this year. What will it take to get there?
Just taking it one game at a time
Have you and the rest of the players felt pressure to get there?
Yeah. We’ve been dealing with it pretty well, but it is a lot of pressure.
Your team has gone as far as it could the last two years. Entering this season, did it feel any different?
We’re just treating it as another All-Star season, but we’ve got to go further.
What are some goals for you this year?
To hit a home run in Williamsport
Have you been able to pitch at all for All-Stars?
I’ve pitched once.
Have you noticed getting better on a mound?
My velocity
Do you play any other sports?
Basketball
Moving forward, what would be a goal for you in the future?
To be drafted into the major leagues
What has been your favorite moment so far this year or in past years?
Probably last year in the semifinals of regionals, when we came back by two runs in the last inningRelated Stories
