St. Pete has its first World Series champions 

The Northwest 10U Freedom softball team recently made history by becoming the first from any division to bring a World Series championship home to St. Petersburg.

The all-star team finished its historic season with an 8-1 victory over Puerto Rico in the Babe Ruth World Series, held in Florence, Alabama. Coach Lane Zimmer, grandson of legendary Major League Baseball player and coach Don Zimmer, led the girls to a 6-1 record in the 14-team tournament.

“We’re just a rec team from St. Petersburg” became a rallying cry for the most successful youth ballclub in the city’s history. The community celebrated its 13 girls, aged 9 to 11, with a golf cart parade Sunday.

“We had no expectations at all going into the World Series,” Zimmer said. “That was more like we earned this – we’re going to go, see how it goes and just have some fun. The city should be very proud, because I don’t know the last time something like this would have occurred.”

The all-star team features 13 players, aged 9 to 11, from throughout the area.

A Google search for previous youth baseball or softball world champions returned no results. In 1948, a team from St. Petersburg finished second in the Little League World Series.

While the televised Little League World Series receives more attention, the Babe Ruth League also has a rich tradition. The 74-year-old league is home to over one million players from more than  60,000 youth teams.

The Freedom were the first team in Northwest Youth Baseball and Softball’s 53-year history to earn a spot in the 14-team World Series. They reached the tournament and won the title behind the arms of three talented pitchers, who Zimmer ensured all had a chance to throw in the championship game.

Harper Smith, a left-handed pitcher who also plays first base, was named the World Series MVP and batting champion. She also earned a spot on the All-World Series and All-Defensive Teams.

Babe Ruth officials reported that Harper was the first player ever to sweep the individual awards in a division. Her mother, Kate Smith, credited that success to her teammates and coaches.

“Like we have said the whole season, we’re just a rec team from St. Pete,” Smith said. “But Lane (Zimmer) made sure to prepare these girls for this the entire spring season. There is just so much pride knowing that not only did we get there, not only did we play really well, not only did we win the World Series, but we also had a single player who just dominated.

“I would feel that exact same way if it were any other player on the team. It is just so amazing to see how far they’ve come and what they can accomplish.”

Harper Smith became the league’s first player to win every individual award in her division.

While Zimmer did not have expectations heading into the tournament, he realized the team had a chance at a special season. He has coached many of the girls for three or four years and said the group is “very much like a family.”

Zimmer explained that girls begin pitching for the first time at 9 or 10, and the underhand throws require a “very specific technique” that typically takes years to learn. The Freedom had three “outstanding” players with good velocity and accuracy on their pitches.

The Freedom finished their season with a 22-2 record while scoring 275 runs and only giving up 65. “So, our pitching was the dominant force here,” Zimmer said.

Ivy (last names withheld by request), Ryleigh and Jamie joined Harper on the All-World Series Team. Berkeley and Kalli earned spots on the tournament’s All-Defensive Team.

“We’ve been largely successful over the years, but not to this level,” Zimmer said. “This was an extraordinary event that occurred. It doesn’t happen very often for leagues around the country.”

Smith credited Zimmer and the coaching staff for “going above and beyond in every single thing they do for these girls.” The group had three weeks to raise the money needed to “get us to Alabama so that we could even participate in the World Series.”

Smith found it difficult to describe how she felt when the girls recorded their final out and stormed the field. She called it “incredible” to see that “group of young women go out there and crush it and be rewarded for something they worked so hard for.”

“It’s just so special,” Smith added. “It proves to them that it doesn’t matter what anyone else says – if you work hard and put the effort in, you can achieve anything.”

The Clearwater Threshers minor league team honored the Freedom before Sunday’s game. Zimmer hopes the Tampa Bay Rays will similarly recognize the girls this week at Steinbrenner Field.

The late Don Zimmer, who served as a senior advisor for the Rays from 2004 to 2014, became the first player inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in April 2023. He also won six MLB World Series championships as a player and coach.

Lane Zimmer noted his daughter, Lucy, Don’s great-granddaughter, “carries on the tradition.”

Update: Boys baseball teams from Northwest, Fossil Park and other St. Petersburg youth leagues have won the Dizzy Dean World Series. The organization lacks the international reach of the Babe Ruth and Little League World Series, and emphasizes honesty, good conduct and community.