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Never before done, it was a fun afternoon as the major leaguers joined in with the youngsters, and at night played an actual game at the renovated old ballpark
By ARNIE LESHIN, Santa Fe Today
Baseball had its day in the sun and under the lights, all in Williamsport, Pa., on Sunday. Other sports should take a lesson from this.
It was unique, it was heartwarming, it brought joy to the youngsters in the midst of their International Little League Baseball World Series. It was beautifully done. A huge plus at a time when this country is going politically nuts.
It was labeled the Major League Baseball Classic, and from the time that the buses carrying the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates pulled up and parked close to Lamade Stadium at the Little League complex, there was a game still being played while the rest of the teams surrounded the buses to greet the Major Leaguers.
Wearing their uniforms as they stepped off the buses, they went straight to the youngsters, getting into conversations, shaking hands, high-fiving, signing autographs, and just mixing in. They handed out autographed photos, posed for photos with the little leaguers, and chattered with the LL coaches.
“I thought it was a wonderful thing that they put together,” said Pittsburgh All-Star outfielder Andrew McCuthchen. “Just sitting or standing next to these kids and mingling with them was just a marvelous experience.”
While Japan was surprising last year’s runner-up from South Korea, 4-1, the other 14 teams were having a ball. To them the day would never end, for they were no doubt looking ahead to the night’s activities in Williamsport.
There, they would be bused to the downtown minor league ballpark to watch the game matching the Cards at the Bucs. It’s a baseball facility that seats only 2,600, and it needed plenty of patch-up work for the game to be televised on ESPN.
That done, the second-oldest minor league ball field in the country didn’t look anything like it did before the well-done renovation. It was rundown, the outfield fences required a scrubbing, the outfield and the infield needed to provide a look that would pass for a Major League game.
More seats needed to be added for the already sold-out contest, the first ever in this Pennsylvania town that has been the home of the Little League World Series since 1947, and much credit should be bestowed upon those who worked to bring this ball park a new look.
This was arranged by Major League baseball officials, by St. Louis and Pittsburgh, the home team in this National League Central Division, and it was unimagible that the little leaguers had ever dreamt of an unprecedented treat like this.
Before the game, all of the World Series teams lined up along the first and third base lines as the major leaguers were introduced and then standing alongside the youngsters. The National Anthem was played and it was a time to remember as they all placed their hands on their hearts and some even sang along.
After awhile, the major leaguers and little leaguers got along like they knew each other for ages. Once the game began, each batter would wave to the youngsters and than stroll to the plate. Players in the dugouts even signed autographs in between innings.
It all started around the noon hour. The Cardinals had the longer ride, but both buses pulled in about the same time. If the little leaguers were a little shy, unprepared or nervous, the major leaguers were so happy to be there, they immediately settled in with the flabbergasted kids.
“They asked all kinds of questions,” said the Cards’ Josh Bell, “Some of them even knew where many of the players were from, and once relaxed and aware that we were there for them, it became one big happy time.”
Because of the language barrier, it wasn’t easy for some of the International teams to converse. For Australia and Canada, it wasn’t a problem. But when the Japan-South Korea game was over, those teams hurried out to where the big leaguers and little leaguers were having a ball, joking, laughing, with the youngsters nudging some players to ask questions.
No sure of what everyone was asking or saying, the Japan and South Korea boys just kept smiling and making their way around in awe of all this. A Card or Pirate would speak to them and they would smile and bow.
The game itself blended right in. There were some long balls and some great catches. The new-look field looked like something out of “Field of Dreams”. The outfield was a baseball field green, the infield looked like it was all new, and the Little League coaches thought it was awesome.
Oh, and Pittsburgh won 6-3, holding off a late St. Louis rally. Then they came off the field and out of the dugouts to salute the little leaguers, who stood and cheered and treasured this day, this moment.
Bucs’ catcher, Francisco Cervelli, is a native of Venezuela and he sat among its players before the game. It was a poignant time for a country that is going through violent social and political times. It probably was a big lift for the Venezuela youngsters.
Cervelli did not play at South Williamsport, but St. Louis’ Lance Lynn and Randall Grichum, and Pitt’s Max Moore did. Lynn said he was overwhelmed by how it looks now compared to when he played.
Said Moore: “I had a great time when we played here, and here I am back in Williamsport. It brings back memories and this will, too.”
The World Series continues Monday with two elimination games. Some of the youngsters said that they never thought something like this could happen, but it did, and baseball deserves kudos for this. It was well organized and everybody chipped in like teamwork to make this day a dream come true for the youngsters.
And the Keystone State was no doubt happy to play host to a grand new idea like this. Too bad some of them were turned away if they didn’t already have tickets
Yes, other sports should check this out instead of their athletes whining about politics. That’s like a politician telling a baseball player how to play, but an event like this brings together people who talk baseball, not politics.
And with that having been said, applause again goes to Major League baseball, the Little League Organization, the people of Williamsport, and the little leaguers.
