Five Tallahassee Babe Ruth Baseball players sign to play college ball

By Robyn Murrell
Outlook Writer

Down three runs in the regional championship game of the 2013 Babe Ruth Baseball World Series, a group of friends from Tallahassee banded together and battled their way back in the seventh inning to pull off an impressive win on their two month journey to the championship.

 
“We all still talk about this moment to this day, I don’t think I’ll ever forget that moment when we all rushed on the field,” said Bo Seccombe, who went on to play high school baseball at Lincoln. “ That’s my most cherished baseball moment of my entire career.”

 
They came up short in their quest for the championship, but parlayed the experience into a brotherhood. It inspired them to attain even higher goals and just recently five of those players signed to play college baseball.

 
Seton Bentz is going to Pensacola State College, Bo Seccombe to Santa Fe College, while Max McKinley signed with College of Charleston, and Dylan Carlson and Russell Rauh are going to FAMU.
“All five of them were pretty advanced ball players and all had really good work ethics,” said Brian Kelley, who coached the 2013 15-and-under All-Star team. “I had no doubt that they would play at the next level.”

 
Each of the former Babe Ruth players made up the all-star team should be just as successful on the next level, said Kennie Silvestri, who was an assistant coach with the squad.

 
“I think our practices were run pretty similar to those at the college level and that should help them when they get on campus next fall,” he said.

 
In preparation for college in the fall each of them are spending the summer conditioning and playing for travelling teams.

 
“Right now I’m preparing for college by lifting and running “ said McKinley
“The coaches wanted me to put the ball down for a little while so that’s what I’m doing.”

 
Seccombe is playing for Next Level Baseball in Tallahassee and hopes to compete in four or five tournaments over the summer just to stay sharp.

 
He and his teammates are dreaming all over again — this time about playing in the pros.
“If I’m lucky enough to be drafted, at some point I would love to,” said McKinley.
“But if that doesn’t work out then I’d like to maybe go to law school or med school.”