Little League World Series Baseball

Monday, August 29, 2011

I watched the 2011 Little League World Series games with more interest than usual, with Billings, Montana, and the Big Sky League being so well represented by these terrific young kids with so much talent and who play with so much emotion.

I enjoyed seeing the kids gain national exposure and have their photos all over ESPN, ABC, the newspapers and the internet.

Big guys like Cole McKenzie amazed us with their skills and little guys like Connor Kieckbusch just amazed us with their cuteness (and skills). I loved it! They are the only team who can say they beat the World Series Champions, Huntington Beach, California, holding them scoreless no less, in the U.S. winners bracket Semi-final.

Cole McKenzie

Connor Kieckbusch

I recall my own little league days back in the 1960s, when I was often asked to pitch because I was a lefty and kids were afraid of lefties. I know now what they really feared were my wild pitches which often put them on their backsides trying to avoid being hit. I didn't have the success that the kids from Billing have enjoyed, but in later years I did vicariously enjoy a Little League District Championship when my two oldest sons played together. They pitched and caught and played shortstop as well. My own short-lived career was pretty much limited to playing First Base and the outfield and throwing at a few heads. Ha Ha.

I know that a lot of little league players dream of the majors and playing in front of huge crowds and making lots of money. That doesn't come to pass for very many of them. I do think that their experience in organized baseball, and other sports as well, do help to shape them into better adults, giving them experience with winning and losing, teamwork, etc.

I spent most of my summer vacations in the 1950s and 1960s working as a carpenter's apprentice for my Father. I earned five dollars a week. I wish now that I had been able to play more.

I think kids should enjoy being kids as long as they can. The World of Work will last for a long, long time.