Hoots Ready for Return to Connie Mack World Series

It wouldn’t be summer if the Danville Hoots weren’t turning heads on the amateur baseball circuit — this year is no exception.

For the second time in three years, the Hoots qualified for the Connie Mack World Series — widely considered the most prestigious amateur baseball tournament in the country — and will open play Saturday at 11 a.m. in Farmington, N.M.

Making a deep run in summer baseball is hardly new for manager Don Johns, who started the program in 1991. The Hoots have possibly the most impressive resume of any summer program in Northern California.

“From one year to the next, it’s a lot of work,” Johns said. “If you think you’re just going to go out and make it back to the World Series every year, you’re wrong.”

But that’s always the goal for the Hoots, who are based in Danville but draw from all over the East Bay.

“I tell our guys that if we don’t have a goal, shame on us,” Johns said. “And our goal is to win a national championship.”

Read: They’re not satisfied just making it to Farmington.

That wasn’t necessarily the case two years ago when the Hoots became the second Northern California team in 50 years to qualify.

“I think we were happy to get there and enjoy the experience,” said UCLA-bound Chris Keck, who is the lone holdover from the 2009 team. “I know our expectations are higher this time around.”

The team will ride through Farmington on a float during a parade before the opening ceremonies today.

The Hoots earned the trip back to New Mexico with a 2-0 win against the Orange County Renegades in the West Regional championship in Tempe, Ariz., last week. Dublin’s Robert Martinez picked up the win on the mound, while David Elzig and Ryan Lacy had RBI singles.

For Alameda resident , who’ll pitch for Stanford next year, the opportunity to play with such a talented group has been a great experience. He plays for North Coast Section Division-V Head Royce during the school year, so he’s seen a steep upgrade in competition.

Connie Mack isn’t quite the level he’ll see in the Pac-12 Conference, but he said it’ll help bridge the gap between high school and college.

Johns said he’s not set on a pitching rotation, but the opening-game starter against the two-time defending champion Midland (Ohio) Mustangs likely will be Linney or Duke-bound Nick Piscotty of Amador Valley High.

In Midland, the Hoots will be up against the behemoth of Connie Mack baseball.

“They have a $250,000 budget and draw from all over the country,” Johns said. “They’re good.”

Piscotty’s older brother, Stephen, was a part of the Hoots two years ago and Nick said his family was able to help prepare him for the experience.

“It’s a big deal,” Piscotty said. “We know we’re going to be playing against some of the best players in the country, but we’re ready.”

Before making the switch to Connie Mack 2006, where there are no restrictions on where players are from, the Hoots qualified for three American Legion World Series — including a national championship in 2000. Several players have gone on to play in the professional ranks, including San Francisco Giants outfielder .

The Hoots' reputation has attracted players throughout the East Bay.

“It took me an hour to get to practice today from Alameda,” Linney said Wednesday. “It’s worth it, though, because of the type of program the Hoots are.”

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