Armor up! Gladiator Baseball enjoys fun in the sun during scrimmage with Avalon

Image: Gladiator pitcher Eli Garcia gets the season of fun started from the mound during a light scrimmage with visiting Avalon.

Gladiator pitcher Eli Garcia gets the season of fun started from the mound during a light scrimmage with visiting Avalon. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Levi McBride enjoys the cool breeze in right field.

Gladiator Levi McBride enjoys the cool breeze in right field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Land Ho! Left fielder Kyle Fortenberry hurries the ball back into the sandy infield.

Land Ho! Left fielder Kyle Fortenberry hurries the ball back into the sandy infield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shortstop Clayton Miller relays the ball to third-base.

Shortstop Clayton Miller relays the ball to third-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clayton Miller is on the receiving end of a throw down attempt with teammate Hunter Ballard backing up the throw.

Clayton Miller is on the receiving end of a throw down attempt with teammate Hunter Ballard backing up the throw. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Vencill secures an out while covering first-base.

Tyler Vencill secures an out while covering first-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Last season’s district MVP, Levi McBride, hits his leadoff stride early.

Last season’s district MVP, Levi McBride, hits his leadoff stride early. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride stretches out a triple for the Gladiators while leaving a wake of sand behind him.

Levi McBride stretches out a triple for the Gladiators while leaving a wake of sand behind him. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers, one of the district’s best hitters last season, can hardly contain his excitement while digging in at the plate for the first time in 2015.

John Byers, one of the district’s best hitters last season, can hardly contain his excitement while digging in at the plate for the first time in 2015. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator John Byers hits his first of three doubles on the day against the Eagles.

Gladiator John Byers hits his first of three doubles on the day against the Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle “Catfish” Fortenberry cast his line deep into centerfield for a triple.

Kyle “Catfish” Fortenberry cast his line deep into centerfield for a triple. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Kyle Fortenberry puts on breaks after rounding third-base.

Gladiator Kyle Fortenberry puts on breaks after rounding third-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clay Riddle strides it out for a triple against Avalon.

Clay Riddle strides it out for a triple against Avalon. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Pedro Salazar hits and then storms down the first-base line.

Gladiator Pedro Salazar hits and then storms down the first-base line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Pedro Salazar dives into the 2015 season head first after reaching first-base.

Italy’s Pedro Salazar dives into the 2015 season head first after reaching first-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride takes his turn on the mound for the Gladiators.

Levi McBride takes his turn on the mound for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Clayton Miller warms up between innings at short.

Italy’s Clayton Miller warms up between innings at short. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kyle Fortenberry goes to the mound for Italy and keeps the Eagles grounded.

Italy’s Kyle Fortenberry goes to the mound for Italy and keeps the Eagles grounded. (Barry Byers)

Image: Third-baseman John Byers tries to tag an Avalon player floating by.

Third-baseman John Byers tries to tag an Avalon player floating by. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clayton Miller leans back and then swings away.

Clayton Miller leans back and then swings away. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Tyler Vencill asks, “Who moved the base?” Vencill struggles to swim back to the first-base bag and shares a chuckle with his teammates.

Italy’s Tyler Vencill asks, “Who moved the base?” Vencill struggles to swim back to the first-base bag and shares a chuckle with his teammates. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Micah Escamilla enjoys friendly competition with Avalon’s first-baseman.

Italy’s Micah Escamilla enjoys friendly competition with Avalon’s first-baseman. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clay Riddle ends the scrimmage with one last hit for Italy.

Clay Riddle ends the scrimmage with one last hit for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler “The Diesel” Vencill is armored up and ready for his senior season of Italy Gladiator Baseball.

Tyler “The Diesel” Vencill is armored up and ready for his senior season of Italy Gladiator Baseball. (Barry Byers)

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