Clanton 6U All Stars win World Series in Albertville – The Clanton Advertiser

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The Clanton 6U All Stars won the 2024 USA Rec World Series in Albertville on July 7. (CJ ROBINSON | CONTRIBUTION)

The Clanton 6U All Stars concluded their outstanding season with a World Series trophy, which they could also win starting in the 2024 season. (CJ ROBINSON | CONTRIBUTION)

By Carey Reeder | Senior Editor

The Clanton 6U All Stars captured the 2024 USA Rec World Series title after a perfect performance July 5-7 in Albertville. The World Series, presented by USA Softball of Alabama, partner of USA Softball, featured 6U teams from across Alabama comprised of five- to six-year-old girls. After the team placed third in the World Series last season, this year’s team went a step further and brought the trophy back to Chilton County.

The team entered the group stage on July 5th with a 2-0 record, winning the first game 12-0 and the second game 15-13 to secure first place for group play on July 6th and 7th. The Clanton All Stars also dominated group play, winning the first game 15-2 and advancing to the finals with a 15-7 win in the second game. Clanton won the finals 14-2.

“At one point during the championship game, I just leaned against the post and crossed my arms. It was heartwarming to watch them play as a unit,” said Clanton All Stars coach CJ Robinson. “The best game they played all season was the last one, and it was basically perfect.”

Robinson added that he was very proud of the young girls playing their best softball of the season at the end of the year, and that culminated with a win in the World Series. The players’ deeper understanding of the game was demonstrated in the World Series by executing the limited things on the field, such as substituting throws to first and third base for the left and right fielders, things that many teams that young would not do, let alone on their own without instruction from their coaches.

The Clanton 6U All Stars have grown as a team over the course of the season, and it was evident in their celebrations after winning the championship. Instead of looking to their parents or coaches after the final out, players ran toward each other and celebrated each other’s success. While the immediate recognition from family members and coaches is necessary and important, it is in the moments when the teams are happy for each other that you can really see them grow together.

“I didn’t have to yell or motivate, and they just went out (and played well),” Robinson said. “No other team that age that I’ve seen in my two years of coaching even tries that, and we don’t even tell them, the girls just knew.”

The World Series final was on a Sunday, so families missed their respective church services. Robinson decided to hold a small service at the team hotel, and word spread throughout the team. On Sunday morning, about 70 players, parents and other supporters gathered in a meeting room for the service. Robinson said he believes this powerful gathering the morning before the final helped the team close the deal.

Robinson thanked the Chilton County community for the support it has given the 6U Clanton All Stars throughout the season. The front of the jersey says Clanton, but the team’s players come from all over Chilton County, with roots in Jemison, Verbena, Thorsby, Maplesville and other areas.

6U Clanton All Stars Squad

Wesley Driver (Trainer)

Brannon Johnson (Coach)

Conner Lane (Coach)

Autumn McCarley (Trainer)

Avery McCarley (Coach)

CJ Robinson (Coach)

Charlee Byrd

Maren Davenport

Logan driver

Blair Edwards

Callie Fuller

Emma Johnson

Kenzie Lane

Kylee Jo Langston

Addison McCarley

Isla Robinson

Tatum Stark

Wheylyn Wright

Sadie Jo Wyatt