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It has been a whirlwind few weeks for the Chaires-Capitola Little League All-Stars, and the ride shows no signs of slowing down. What started as a summer baseball dream has evolved into a historic journey.
Not even a rainy Saturday practice could dampen the excitement surrounding the 12U All-Stars, managed by Aleck Del Prado. Less than a week after winning the Florida state championship for the first time, the congratulations were still pouring in.
The support has come from expected places and unexpected ones alike, a reminder of how far the team's accomplishments have resonated.
"A lot of people have reached out to the coaches and family members, even people we didn't even expect to be watching," Del Prado said Saturday, Aug. 1. "We just told the boys today that what we loved hearing the most was from the other teams we played, just how well the boys carried themselves and how hard they played and it was a treat to play against us."
Chaires Capitola Little League won the Florida state championship on July 27 at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota, advancing to the Southeast regional in Warner Robins, Georgia. The team is scheduled to practice Monday and depart to Georgia Tuesday, with a send-off being planned at 1 p.m. at the park, 4768 Chaires Cross Road in Tallahassee.
Chaires is one of eight teams representing Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, West Virginia and Tennessee. Chaires opens the double-elimination tournament against Georgia (Columbus) Thursday, Aug. 6, at 1 p.m.
Chaires All-Stars making history the past two summers
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Chaires-Capitola's state championship run carried a little extra significance considering who stood on the other side of the field in the title game.
The 12U All-Stars claimed the Florida championship with a 6-0 victory over Lake Mary, the powerhouse program that had captured the previous three state titles and won the Little League World Series in 2024. Moments after the final out, Chaires players celebrated with a jubilant dog pile near the pitcher's mound, a scene that quickly made the rounds on social media.
For many of the players, it was another milestone in a remarkable stretch of success.
Several members of this year's squad also helped Chaires-Capitola's 11U All-Stars win the Tournament of State Champions in Wilson, North Carolina, last summer. That event also featured state champions from North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia and Tennessee. Chaires capped the week in dramatic fashion, defeating South Carolina on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth inning to claim the title.
Del Prado credits much of the program's success to the competitive baseball culture that exists within the league long before All-Star season begins.
"We obviously have a great group of competitive players at Chaires," Del Prado said. "We put together a great spring season, then to put together an All-Star team. ... it has been very exciting. To see them come together, play hard, practice hard, and put together some great baseball games has been fun to watch."
It recent history is any indication, this group may not be finished making memories just yet. The Southeast winner advances to the 2026 Little League World Series, starting Aug. 19 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The 20-team field is filled out by 10 U.S. teams and 10 10 international teams.
"It's amazing, it really is," Del Prado said. "Myself and other coaches grew up watching the Little League World Series, and our boys have watched it the last couple of years. To have that opportunity. ... I don't know if it has hit the boys yet, which is fine.
"It is amazing to be this close."
Here is the Chaires-Capitola 12U All-Star team
Camden Arnold, Preston Bikus, Hayden Butler, Kenny Chen, Landon Del Prado, Everett Fiore, Jordan Murray, Harrison Pawelczyk, Oliver Prowant, Jacob Ross, Xavier Schenck, Kai Stephens. Manager: Aleck Del Prado. Coaches: Matt Prowant, Kyle Pawelczyk, Brad Bikus.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Chaires-Capitola 12U All-Stars carry momentum into Southeast Regional
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