Vega takes dominance to All-Stars

Hitting, pitching, fielding - all a cinch for Adan Vega.

Coach Roger Varela said what's more impressive than the Yuma Little Leaguer's skill set physically is his baseball IQ.

"Like they say, some people have it. He has hit," Varela said. "Just the way he moves and the way he does things he knows baseball. It's come pretty easy to him - he's only been playing five years. For five years, to play the way he plays, is a great gift he has and he's used it wisely to his advantage."

Vega, who didn't allow a hit all season, joins the YLL 11 and 12-year-old all-stars in their quest to reach the Little League World Series. That quest begins with the district tournament 8 p.m. today in Blythe against Lake Havasu North.

Vega said being a part of the all-star team is special to him.

"It's really cool," Vega said. "There were a whole bunch of people in the league but being picked to play in the all-stars is cool. Not a lot of people get to play in the all-stars."

After district is the state tournament, then regionals, then the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

Vega said the team's sights are set high.

"We hope to get all the way to the World Series," Vega said.

First comes district, and it's likely Vega will be on the mound in the opener. Varela coached against Vega's team in the regular season and has coached against him in Yuma Boys Baseball League. Vega also played for him a year in YBBL.

Vega will bat in the middle of the order as well. Varela can attest to his power, as he hit a grand slam against Varela's undefeated Yankees this year.

"It's just the maturity knowing how to play the game, plus the power he hits with" Varela said. "When the ball goes to him, he already understands where to go - situational plays it takes quite a few years to teach."

Varela said he wishes he had 11 other players like Vega - heading into the eighth grade next year and a year away from attending Cibola. But he added that the all-star team he has comes pretty close to that.

"We knew that whatever team he was with would be a tough test to do," Varela said. "We ended up beating that team, and it takes 12 kids to do that. That's why you'll take that centerpiece, but you need 11 other players to make that happen."