The Italy Gladiators run rule Grand Prairie

Image: The Gladiators are sunflower powered

The Gladiators are sunflower powered (Barry Byers)

Image: David’s Supermarket — David’s Supermarket freezes the batter as Manager David Kelly throws out the opening pitch.

David’s Supermarket — David’s Supermarket freezes the batter as Manager David Kelly throws out the opening pitch. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Varners — Kym and Stevan Varner, of Varner Fina, greet Coach Matt Coker at the pitcher’s mound before their daughter Jill Varner, who was brought up from the minor leagues, throws out the opening pitch. STRIKE!

The Varners — Kym and Stevan Varner, of Varner Fina, greet Coach Matt Coker at the pitcher’s mound before their daughter Jill Varner, who was brought up from the minor leagues, throws out the opening pitch. STRIKE! (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase observes — Jase Holden can barely hold his breathe in anticipation of the game against Grand Prairie.

Jase observes — Jase Holden can barely hold his breathe in anticipation of the game against Grand Prairie. (Barry Byers)

Image: Preparing to pitch — A nervous Mike South (representing italyneotribune.com), just moments before throwing out the opening pitch, enjoys the outing with his wife Tessa South and the little ones. Little Mikey South pitched on behalf of Monolithic Constructors, Inc.

Preparing to pitch — A nervous Mike South (representing italyneotribune.com), just moments before throwing out the opening pitch, enjoys the outing with his wife Tessa South and the little ones. Little Mikey South pitched on behalf of Monolithic Constructors, Inc. (Barry Byers)

Image: Warming up the players — Coach Ward hits a few to his defense before Italy’s game against Grand Prairie AA.

Warming up the players — Coach Ward hits a few to his defense before Italy’s game against Grand Prairie AA. (Barry Byers)

Image: David South — David South is ready for some popcorn and cracker jacks as Mr. South’s companies, Monolithic Constructors, Inc. and Italy Neotribune are thanked for their sign purchase that will help support the baseball team and the Booster Club’s Scholarship Fund.

David South — David South is ready for some popcorn and cracker jacks as Mr. South’s companies, Monolithic Constructors, Inc. and Italy Neotribune are thanked for their sign purchase that will help support the baseball team and the Booster Club’s Scholarship Fund. (Barry Byers)

Image: Thank you! — Italy’s players thank the local business owners for their sign purchases and then head to the dugout to get the game started.

Thank you! — Italy’s players thank the local business owners for their sign purchases and then head to the dugout to get the game started. (Barry Byers)

Image: Josh is ready — Knowing that the baseball’s core is made of rubber and cork in which yarn is wound around the rubber and cork centre. And that 2 strips of white cowhide are sewn around the ball and that official baseballs must weigh 5 to 5 1/4 ounces and be 9 to 9 1/4 inches around, Josh Milligan is ready.

Josh is ready — Knowing that the baseball’s core is made of rubber and cork in which yarn is wound around the rubber and cork centre. And that 2 strips of white cowhide are sewn around the ball and that official baseballs must weigh 5 to 5 1/4 ounces and be 9 to 9 1/4 inches around, Josh Milligan is ready. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brandon Souder — Brandon contemplates sending the baseball downtown.

Brandon Souder — Brandon contemplates sending the baseball downtown. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colton and Desmond — Italy is about to deliver a one-two punch against Grand Prairie.

Colton and Desmond — Italy is about to deliver a one-two punch against Grand Prairie. (Barry Byers)

Image: The dugout is into it — The tension mounts as Italy tries to pull out of the the 10 run victory against Grand Prairie.

The dugout is into it — The tension mounts as Italy tries to pull out of the the 10 run victory against Grand Prairie. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brandon and Jasenio — Brandon and Jasenio clap it up and raz the Grand Prairie pitcher…who apparently was a belly-itcher.

Brandon and Jasenio — Brandon and Jasenio clap it up and raz the Grand Prairie pitcher…who apparently was a belly-itcher. (Barry Byers)

Image: The dugout view — Jasenio Anderson #10 and Brandon Souder #17 watch the game through winning eyes.

The dugout view — Jasenio Anderson #10 and Brandon Souder #17 watch the game through winning eyes. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ivan encourages Ryan — And Ryan really appreciates Ivan’s support.

Ivan encourages Ryan — And Ryan really appreciates Ivan’s support. (Barry Byers)

Image: Step and throw — Austin Cate, a future Gladiator, prepares for his day by practicing his “step and throw” technique that he’s been fine tuning for years.

Step and throw — Austin Cate, a future Gladiator, prepares for his day by practicing his “step and throw” technique that he’s been fine tuning for years. (Barry Byers)

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