By Stacy Case
Some of the area Little League Baseball All Star teams were at it again; breaking more records, making great memories and creating forever friendships.
First, Parkland Little League made history this summer, and its Intermediate (50/70) All Star team is responsible for the program’s newfound fame. These young men (ages 13-14) recently wrapped up play on the biggest stage: the Intermediate World Series in Livermore, CA.(Note: 50/70 denotes the 50-feet distance from the pitcher’s mound to home plate and 70-feet base paths)
Then just outside the city limits, neighboring North Springs Little League had much to offer its opponents as well, having sent five teams (9/10s, 11s, Majors, Juniors, Seniors) into the All Star circuit, in which they all won District titles.
And it was the Parkland Intermediate team that earned international notoriety. Little did the coaches, players and families know exactly what they were in for when postseason play began back in mid June at the District level. Parkland handily won the District championship, earning themselves a State Tournament berth, in which they won that title as well. Parkland’s players then represented themselves quite well at the Southeast Regional games, continuing their undefeated streak.
They used that S.E. title as a springboard to keep on track as they headed into the Intermediate World Series out west. Parkland won three hard-fought games at the World Series (5-2 over New Jersey, 5-4 over Hawaii and 2-0 over California), earning them a spot in the United States Championship game, facing Hawaii once again, however, Parkland did not prevail, and lost to the eventual champions.
“Our expectation was for these 13 young men to play well; they faced some of the best pitchers and hitters in the country, and got to go out there to do what they earned,” says Parkland Little League’s Intermediate Manager Doug Mox. “We got to see them rise, and as it was a summer that none of us will ever forget, the City of Parkland continued to rally around these kids all season long.”
During their All Star run, Parkland put up some rather impressive statistics. While earning an impressive 13-1 record, they outscored their opponents with an astounding 160-25.
“This was a great moment for our program and for our city,” says Parkland Little League President Jeanne Perretty. “These young men were unbelievable on and off the field.”
And while Parkland was on their quest for 50/70 greatness, North Springs’ All Star teams kept plenty busy too.As the 9/10s, 11s, Juniors and Seniors also won their respective Sections, they performed well in their State Tournaments. But it was the North Springs Seniors who went on to Regional play, having the league’s only out-of-state presence. They went undefeated until the championship game.
North Springs President Mike Hendrix is still basking in the glory of how well his league’s teams represented his program this summer.
“We entered five teams into post season play: all five won District titles and four went on to great showings at the State Tournament (all finished with winning records during States),” Mike says.
The Seniors were only one game away from going to NSLL’s first World Series appearance. “I’m so proud of the depth of our league’s talent,” says Mike. “To be able to have teams make it to States in ages 10 through 16 shows the overall quality of North Springs; that’s a testament to our coaches, players and volunteers.”
North Springs Little League photos courtesy of www.mauricerossphotography.zenfolio.com