Stars are born: Little Leaguers hit the big time on road to chasing World Series title

Little Leaguers hit big time on road to WS title

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — The Little League World Series can turn shy youngsters into instant celebrities back home. Communities hold rallies, reporters gather around players for interviews — and one team is even getting an ice cream flavor named after them.

Anyone up for a scoop of Peabody West Grand Slam?

“I just think it’s crazy that they named an ice cream after this team,” said Matt Hosman, the 13-year-old pitcher-shortstop for the Peabody, Mass., team that advanced to the series, which starts Friday.

The “grand slam” part of the special flavor from Cherry Farm Creamery in Danvers, Mass., commemorates Hosman’s grand slam homer in the regional final that got his squad to South Williamsport.

Who knows what they’ll come up with if Peabody wins the title.

They’re one of 16 teams from around the world that have arrived in this small, blue-collar community to take part in the 63rd World Series — the most recognizable youth sporting event in the United States.

Whether coach or player, the reactions of the participants when they first arrive at the sprawling complex rarely change.

“You walk around and you’re in a dream,” said a grinning Ric Ramirez, a fifth-grade teacher who volunteers as a coach for the team from Chula Vista, Calif. “My cheeks are pretty tired right now. … It’s baseball heaven.”

Of course, the only thing that could top being at the series is winning it and taking the victory lap around Lamade Stadium.

The eight international teams want to stop a streak of four straight U.S. wins. Hawaii won last year and in 2005, sandwiching titles by two Georgia clubs — Columbus (2006) and Warner Robins (2007). A team from that victorious Warner Robins league is back in Pennsylvania again this year.

The international field has some familiar names, too.

A team from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia comprised mainly of children of Americans living overseas, made it to the series for the 10th straight time. The Pabao Little League team from Willemstad, Curacao, is back for a seventh straight year.

The Japan regional champion, this year from Chiba City, again features imposing power hitters and fundamentally sound players.

But Thursday isn’t about competition, but an annual celebration before the games start. A parade across the Susquehanna River in Williamsport, complete with Little League teams riding on flatbed trucks, was to follow a picnic social.

Massachusetts outfielder Matt Correale said the best part of the week so far has been greeting players from around the world.

“We’ve been talking to players from Japan, Asia-Pacific. Well, trying to anyway,” said the 12-year-old boy, referring to the language barriers between the teams.

At the batting cage near Massachusetts’ practice field, the team from Mercer Island, Wash., alternated between taking hacks and lounging outside the nets. Their coaches are trying to keep them loose, and they joked around as they tried to swat away the pesky flies that have descended on the complex in the warm, humid conditions.

Washington outfielder Nick Taylor and power-hitting teammate Max Hibbert marveled about the outfield dimensions at Lamade. It’s 225 feet across from the plate to the outfield walls, 25 feet farther than Washington’s home field.

“For most people, it won’t make a difference. But, I mean Max can hit one 300 feet over the fence,” Taylor said.

Hibbert, a first baseman, corrected him.

“Three hundred over the fence? You mean 300 feet,” said Hibbert, looking like a slugger as he held a bat in each hand.

“Yeah, that’s Max for you,” Taylor replied.

Many teams have been on the road for weeks. Some players are missing school; others, like California’s 12-year-old second baseman, Bulla Graft, miss home-cooked food.

No matter, every team hopes it won’t be home for at least another 10 days — the time needed to take the title.