High school baseball in Miami-Dade County is as strong as ever. For a long time baseball fans in Miami have known the high quality of play that is exhibited by each and every team across the county. Now the rest of the state knows this fact too. The 2014 FHSAA state tournament at Fort Myers featured four qualifiers from Dade, and all four clubs walked away victoriously hoisting a state championship in its respective classification. Never in the history of Florida high school baseball has one region dominated the state finals in such a way. Making the moments even more impressive were the fact that three teams won for the first time, and all in the three largest classifications. South Dade won in 8A, American in 7A and Mater Academy in 6A, while Miami Brito took home the 2A crown for their sixth state title in program history. The most success Miami-Dade had previously seen was during the 1985 season, when three Miami teams all won state titles. Winning that year were Hialeah-Miami Lakes, Monsignor Pace and Interamerican all won to take three of the four classifications. This feat was also accomplished in both 1980 and 1981. Success did not come easy for any of the squads this year, as each won tight close games against worthy opponents. The big differential that carried Miami-Dade across the finish line in each scenario was the same characteristics that have come to define South Florida baseball. These teams played with heart, passion, enthusiasm and faith. Coaches are always asking their players to leave it all on the field and give all the effort a player can muster, and each player on each of these teams showed exactly what that means. Emotion was a driving force in each contest.

“It’s just Miami ball,” said Mater Academy senior captain Mike Mediavilla. “Everybody goes out and it is great competition down there. Everybody goes out playing with everything they’ve got every game, and I guess it pays off over here. They don’t know who they are facing and just the adrenalin gets to them. The Miami comes at them, and the screaming, and it just gets intense for them.”

A characteristic that also came to identify each player on each team across the boards was the class and humility they all showed. Even while using every ounce of effort to dominate their opposition, the teams maintained respect for the guys on the other side of the field. They played the game the right way, with all the class and beauty that is the epicenter that makes the game of baseball so extraordinary. After South Dade and American both won on the same day to enjoy a pinnacle moment together, a chain of togetherness formed to unite all four of these clubs. Each team was pulling for the others to enjoy the same success, rooting for them all to join the same celebration together. Before leaving the stadium following South Dade’s win, legendary Bucs Manager Fred Burnside shared a warm embrace with American Manager Ricky Gutierrez. The magic seemed to be passed on from one club to the next, all the way to the finish.

“That was awesome,” said Gutierrez. “Coach Burnside is an outstanding coach; what he does with those kids and they compete and are good every year. He deserves that and I’m just happy to win on the same day that he won one.”

After Brito was victorious to make it three-for-three, the final words from the players and coaches was simply to root on Mater Academy to finish the magical moment off. This example showcased the unity that has grown among the county’s programs, who understand they are all brothers in arms chasing the same ultimate goal. South Florida high school baseball represents a level of excellence that sets an incredible example statewide. Of the seven programs that represented this region in the 2014 state tournament, all performed admirably to make their area proud. Although the clubs from Broward and Palm Beach Counties were unsuccessful in their title chases, each exhibited the same excellence in defeat that they enjoy in victory. Coral Springs Christian, North Broward Prep and Park Vista all fell in one-run decisions. The Crusaders and Cobras both ended on the wrong side of 1-0 outcomes, while the Eagles were defeated 8-7 in an extra-inning marathon unlike any other ever played at states before. While Miami-Dade may have made it look easier than it really is this year, the reality is that winning a state championship is a great challenge that requires a unique and special combination of elements to achieve. It cannot be said enough times what a special accomplishment this magical state tournament record is for Miami-Dade. In only the third year since the state expanded from six classifications to a total of eight, the county claimed half of the titles possible. Since Miami High defeated Bradenton 13-6 to win the 1926 state title, a grand total of 58 Miami-Dade programs have won it all. Yet even with all the previous success the region has seen, there is no doubt that the 2014 season is one that will never be forgotten.