The two pictures above were sent to VN by a Mom back home to remind the kids what their field looks like, trust me having seen it, this is where they normally play. There is no mound and the base paths have just been worn into the ground with kids running to the bases over the years. She knows they are in baseball paradise here, and how lucky they are to be here, based on the comments I have heard at the fields and from the host families, we are lucky to have them here. There is only one true field in Lithuania, a 90 foot diamond in Utena, about a 2 hour drive from Vilnius where these kids hail from, hour and ten for VN.
I have been ratted out, this missive is being read by a Mom in Lithuania, a Mom whose son is one of the kids with a PSP. She emailed VN that the kids were staying up too late playing the thing, oh boy the meeting in the parking lot was not a happy one, the riot act has been read to them. She will remain anonymous as I do not want her kid being tormented by the others, but she is right, the kids are here to play baseball and have fun, but there are limits to the fun and with the lack of sleep they do not have the focus they need to play good baseball. When asked by VN who had stayed up until 3:00 a.m. only Adomas’s hand went up, proud of the kid, he took stepped up and took ownership for it, if VN had asked who stayed up until 1 or 2 a.m. a few more hands would have gone up I am pretty sure.
Today a good number of them went to the aquarium in Long Beach, got the back area tours etc, petted the sting-rays, sharks, feed the otters and sea lions, from the reports I received in the van, truly an amazing experience.
A few others went to a local amusement place to ride go carts, rock climb, laser tag and play video games. A couple others shopping. VN, Arnie and I went to the local league and school supplier of uniforms and gear. Baseball pants are impossible to get, so we went on a shopping spree at Lapes Athletic Supply. Chad Lapes is truly a saint and gave VN incredible pricing on everything purchased and a gift of a full set of uniforms. How this is all getting home is beyond me, when asked VN just says, “Sam no problem it will all be fine,” of course I just shake my head. Even if it all makes it on the plane, how they are getting it from the airport to their homes will be a feat, the cars there are not close to the size here, have never seen a pick-up truck, he may have to use every single cab at the airport in Vilnius just for baggage.
They played one game tonight at San Juan Capistrano Little League (SJCLL) which, although the smallest in the number of kids within the district, still has an amazing amount of folks that truly care and take to heart that, “It’s all about the kids.” Of course they did a tremendous job, red-yellow-green balloons, four man umpire crew, the President of the league as the announcer, who did a very good job on just about all the names. The National Anthem sung by a young lady who just nailed it and then the Lithuanian national anthem played. Lit kids and adults I know truly appreciate the length that folks here have gone to make them feel welcome. A banner welcoming them to SJCLL hung from the fence, signed by all the kids they played that will go home with them and be hung in their in-door cage facility.
I would say that focus again tonight was an issue, they lost 9-3, but the errors they made were not their style of play and batting was not what we have become accustomed to. Beach day, Disneyland and the aforementioned PSP are the issues, mostly my fault for not spreading out the “most fun” days.
A number of things of note: For the home team, they have a young lady, Abby, that has played in the league for a number of years. She is just a gorgeous, she will be mortified if she sees this, young thing who is also an athletes athlete. Imagine there is not a sport or anything for that matter that she does not shine. She hits
the ball hard and everywhere, plays defense like nobodies business and pitched two innings with brilliant high velocity pitching. Nomeda was truly amazed to see Abby not only playing, but the studette of the team. Emilis Gorbaciovas is a new player for VN. I think he is having the time of his life, but as he is so new to the game, the game itself has been a struggle. He has had a number of walks this trip, but today was his day as far as I am concerned. His second at bat, he fouled one off, his first contact with the ball that I have seen and then was patient enough to get a walk. He reaches first base, next pitch sort of and barely gets away from the catcher, he takes off for second base and is safe by a nano-second. You can hear the collective intake of breath from all the Lits and the host families that attend every game and know all the kids. VN was almost about to get the CPR that the kids learned at the beach from lifeguard Nick. When
the umpire signals and yells safe, the Lits and the host parents just go bonkers, sure the locals are thinking what the heck, but also give polite applause. You could see yourself in the shine on Emilis’s face, he was as
proud as he could be, as we were for him, a great moment.
Like any volunteer organization, it takes folks to step up and take charge, One couple did this for SJCLL, organized the volunteers who put on a terrific meal for the kids, even had a cotton candy machine at the snack bar, Lits just loved it. This couple also donated two cases of catchers masks. They had sent emails out asking for used masks and were not happy with the result, so procured two cases of new masks, a truly magnificent gift that will effect a great many back home. Honored to have met them and am sure they have no clue what a tremendous experience they provided the Lits and how far their gift will help baseball in Lit.
Tomorrow another single game against Trabuco Canyon LL at 4:00 PM and then a dinner at 8:00 PM for the Lit adults and all that have helped pulled together this whole adventure.
