Monday, my first majors assignment in Williamsport tournament. Winner's bracket second round, Plano Continental vs. Allen American, at Allen, in a two year old park with exquisitely manicured and maintained fields. Since I took the plate Saturday night, my partner has it tonight and I'm on the bases. In the top of the first, I get three *WHACKERS* at first base. In between innings, I say to my partner, "Toto, I don't think we're in regular season anymore."
This game illustrates why 11 and 12 year olds on the 60 foot diamond is rightfully the pinnacle of Little League baseball.
This is BASEBALL, played with more heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears than you'll see at ANY other level.
These are the kids who DON'T bail out on the inside fastball; instead, they turn on it and take it down the third baseline.
These kids don't wave at the hot grounder going by - they dive and block it, with their face if they have to.
These kids don't misjudge fly balls - they kill them. In front, behind, side to side, running diving catches - routine.
This game goes 7 innings in one hour 45 minutes. The game is won on a fly ball base hit just beyond the reach of the right fielder, who nevertheless lays himself out to the max trying to make the game saving catch. Final score 4-3. Two walks in the game, no errors by either team. Two 6-4-3 double plays in the game; the second one kept the game winning run from scoring in the bottom of the 6th, sending the game to extra innings.
I don't know that my partner and I called a perfect game [I did, of course, but he called a few low strikes, I thought :) ] but there was not a peep of disagreement or negative comment from the players, coaches, or spectators. Everybody maintained a perfect balance between seriousness of purpose, and remembering to keep it fun. The winners won with class, the losers deservedly held their heads up and knew they had given their best effort.
So today, on the 4th of July, while I load up on Advil and recuperate from a fast and furious extended weekend, watch the MLB triple header on ESPN, and reload for the resumption of tournament games tomorrow, I pause to reflect on this kids' game, this American game, and I'm happy and thankful to be a part of it.