We know the kids playing this week at the Little League World Series are beyond excited. One gauge of how stoked the adults in these communities are getting is the leagues' web sites. The emotional temperature that comes through on these sites varies greatly. Some maintain an impassive "Oh yeah, the 12-year-olds are going to Williamsport" tone. Others, well, secure earplugs before opening.
Here are six worth a look.
Hastings Community Little League, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Excellent coverage of earlier tournament games. Handy link to WS schedule. Parents seeking help so they can travel to the series. Send checks to "Help Send Us to the Championships" fund.
McAllister Park American Little League, San Antonio
No boasting, just the facts. "No San Antonio team in the history of the Little League has ever made it to the little league World Series in Williamsport PA. Well that has all changed. McAllister Park Little League Texas West Champions beat Bridge City Little League Texas East Champions 6-4 August 13 and now are the SOUTHWEST REGION CHAMPIONS...ON TO WILLIAMSPORT!"
Parents here also are seeking financial support for the trip "While the team’s costs are covered by the Little League organization, the families’ expenses are not. It is estimated that a family of four will need roughly $6000 to make the trip."
Park View Little League, Chula Vista
Rappin' to Williamsport.
Urbandale Little League, Iowa
Understated, restrained. My new favorite team.
Warner Robins Little League, Georgia
They've won so many championships - notably, the 2007 Little League title - this year's squad seems to have been overlooked.
Mercer Island Little League, Washington
Multiple opportunities here:
Purchase official Mercer Island Little League fan gear. (Adult striped pullover hoodie, $32).
Listen to one proud parent emote as the team wins the Washington state championship.
Good luck to the parents. Kids, too.
Showing posts with label Williamsport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Williamsport. Show all posts
Friday, August 21, 2009
Friday, August 29, 2008
A last look at the Little League World Series
Ok, one more post on the Little League World Series.
It's become a huge business. Estimated dollars spent by fans visiting Williamsport for last week's series? Would you believe $20 million?.
The limping economy apparently didn't keep the adults away. Little League announced it had "smashed" an attendance record this year when more than 30,000 fans turned out for a slate of preliminary games early during series week.
It's worth noting that Little League Baseball does not charge for world series tickets. Grandstand seats are distributed free to league officials, family members and those with the presence of mind to request them months in advance. Viewing spots on the massive grassy hill beyond the outfield fence also are free, first-come, first-served.
Hotel accommodations are not free. Rooms at the Wiliamsport Hampton Inn for next year's series start at $179 per night, if you already have your reservation. The Hampton Inn Web site is showing the hotel already sold out.
It's become a huge business. Estimated dollars spent by fans visiting Williamsport for last week's series? Would you believe $20 million?.
The limping economy apparently didn't keep the adults away. Little League announced it had "smashed" an attendance record this year when more than 30,000 fans turned out for a slate of preliminary games early during series week.
It's worth noting that Little League Baseball does not charge for world series tickets. Grandstand seats are distributed free to league officials, family members and those with the presence of mind to request them months in advance. Viewing spots on the massive grassy hill beyond the outfield fence also are free, first-come, first-served.
Hotel accommodations are not free. Rooms at the Wiliamsport Hampton Inn for next year's series start at $179 per night, if you already have your reservation. The Hampton Inn Web site is showing the hotel already sold out.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Victory lap for Waipahu Little Leaguers?
The Little League World Series ended yesterday, with Waipahu, Hawaii drubbing Mexico for the title. Now for the less appreciated part of the experience for these kids: their new-found celebrity.
For the next year, they'll be taking a victory lap, if they choose to. That was the case with the 2007 champs from Warner Robins, Georgia. About six months ago, I checked in with the parents from Warner Robins for an article in the Sports Business Journal. (Of course, I had to go through their sports marketing agents first.)
Nice people though. In the first week after the World Series, all 12 players were guests on “Good Morning America.” Dalton Carriker, the seventh-grader who hit a walk-off home run to win the championship game, appeared on the “Late Show with David Letterman” where he bantered about his clutch hit. (“With the count 2-1, I wasn’t thinking he would throw me a curveball …”)
Things heated up after that, with the Warner Robins kids attending a shuttle launch at the Kennedy Space Center, flying in an Air Force plane, taking batting practice with the Atlanta Braves, and being introduced before Atlanta Falcons and University of Georgia football games. Oh, in November they dropped in at the White House for a visit with George Bush.
Two invitations got thumbs-down: An offer for the boys to be introduced at a pro wrestling event and an overture from a Hawaiian surf shop for the players to fly with their families to Hawaii for an unofficial rematch with the Tokyo team they beat in the final.
The league president told me, “That was pretty strange.”
For the next year, they'll be taking a victory lap, if they choose to. That was the case with the 2007 champs from Warner Robins, Georgia. About six months ago, I checked in with the parents from Warner Robins for an article in the Sports Business Journal. (Of course, I had to go through their sports marketing agents first.)
Nice people though. In the first week after the World Series, all 12 players were guests on “Good Morning America.” Dalton Carriker, the seventh-grader who hit a walk-off home run to win the championship game, appeared on the “Late Show with David Letterman” where he bantered about his clutch hit. (“With the count 2-1, I wasn’t thinking he would throw me a curveball …”)
Things heated up after that, with the Warner Robins kids attending a shuttle launch at the Kennedy Space Center, flying in an Air Force plane, taking batting practice with the Atlanta Braves, and being introduced before Atlanta Falcons and University of Georgia football games. Oh, in November they dropped in at the White House for a visit with George Bush.
Two invitations got thumbs-down: An offer for the boys to be introduced at a pro wrestling event and an overture from a Hawaiian surf shop for the players to fly with their families to Hawaii for an unofficial rematch with the Tokyo team they beat in the final.
The league president told me, “That was pretty strange.”
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