That is what I see, when I watch youth athletics. In this instance, and for the purposes of this post, I turn your attention to Williamsport, Pa., where for the past sixty one years, the Little League World Series has taken place.
When I was young, I and my friends, always dreamed of playing there, it was the goal each year when we put on our uniforms, and started a new year of little league ball. Until recent years, the only games televised, were the championship game, carried by one of the major broadcasting corporations, but that has changed in the last decade. Now, nearly every game is televised on ESPN or ESPN2, and now in HD.
The love the parents and their communities have for their children is touching, and I am reminded of the fun playing baseball in my small East Texas town. Putting on the team’s uniform, freshly laundered with love from my dear, sweet Momma, the sound of the cleats when I walked, made a young boy feel so manly. Then there were the smells…ahhh, yes, the smells, of the fresh cut grass, the chalk lining the base paths and batters box, the freshly raked clay soil, and of course the refreshment stand smells of french fries and popcorn. After taking in all that sensory input, then there were the screams and yells from family and friends, encouraging on the young men.
When the games were over, regardless of the outcome, we were all still friends and neighbors, everyone was a part of the community, and we consoled the losers of the game, and congratulated the winners.
With the LLWS, it is a global affair. There are teams from all over the U.S. competing in one pool, and teams from all over the world competing in the International pool, with the winners of their respective pools, advancing to the championship game. Families and friends from all over the world come to Williamsport to cheer and support their young men and women, and the various languages and cultural differences enrich the event. It is an event that leaves cultural and political differences aside, as it is an opportunity for the young players to have fun, and collect memories they will carry with them forever.
In this years LLWS, I am pulling for the team representing the SouthWest U.S., and they are from Lubbock, Tx. Yes, it’s true I was pulling for them in the regionals, because they were from Texas, but watching them dispatch the New Mexico team, I saw something in the young men from Lubbock. It was not only how well coached they were, how complete they were as a team, with outstanding pitching and hitting. It was their eyes! For young men ages 11-13, they are so incredibly focused, and it’s obvious when you look at their eyes, and the way they carry themselves. Oh, they are having fun, don’t mistake my description for joyless automatons. They seem to have an understanding beyond their years, of what an opportunity they have, to be world champions, and a confidence in their individual and collective abilities, that seems to give them their drive.
Or perhaps there is something more driving them.
One of the players for the Lubbock team is Brock Lilley. He is an outfielder, and a solid contributor to the teams success. Brock has a special support group, one that extends across America, to Walter Reed Hospital, to Iraq, and beyond. His Uncle, Scott Lilley is recovering from a serious wound received in Iraq, in an ambush. The full story on SSGT Scott Lilley can be found here and here. Since his shrapnel wound to the brain in April, he has been receiving the best of care, and is making progress. SSGT Lilley was able to talk to his nephew, Brock, by phone before his first game on Saturday, and to let him know he would be watching. Lubbock went on to win that game 6-0, with the pitcher striking out seventeen of the nineteen batters he faced. Lubbock went on to win 5-1 on Sunday, with another stellar pitching effort.
SSGT Lilley’s father, and grandfather of Brock, was there, tearfully, as he so wanted to see his grandson play. He hadn’t seen Brock play all summer, as he and his wife had been by SSGT Lilley’s side ever since he was evacuated from Iraq to Germany, and then to Walter Reed. If you click on the links I provided, you will see what love can do, and the value of faith, family, and community. The Trinity of American life.
Not only am I now a supporter of the Lubbock little league team, but of SSGT Lilley. May they all have success in the challenges that face them.
*For additional information on SSgt Lilley, go here, and enter scottlilleystaffsgt in the search box.
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“You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy,the tallest guy in the NBA is Chinese, the Swiss hold the America’s Cup, France is accusing the U.S. of arrogance, Germany doesn’t want to go to war, and the three most powerful men in America are named Bush, Dick, and Colon. –Comedian Chris Rock
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