For most, the day was spent in the pool or Jacuzzi, the Jacuzzi has become a daily must for the Lit. kids especially at night after their games. Those that have been to Lit. and have experienced the wonders of the sauna, well I am pretty sure these kids are going to want the sauna torn out and a Jacuzzi added.
I had my usual major game at NMV and Arnie meanwhile did the bases for a Juniors game at NMV, from all reports he can call a game here anytime he wishes.
We meet in the usual parking lot for the drive out to Trabuco Canyon Little League (TCLL). Trabuco Canyon has special meaning to the Lits,they were sent a few years back TCLL all-star uniforms. They have worn these uniforms ever since for all “important” tournaments and in fact TCLL gave me a number of adult t-shirts to take over last year so the parents watching the games would also have TCLL logo clothing to wear to the games.
In the parking lot all the PSP’s are confiscated by VN, they will be returned when they board the plane home on Monday. We arrive at TCLL and this is truly a baseball paradise, fields are manicured, batting cages, soft toss specific areas, bull pens etc. and for those umpires reading this, an umpire only “shack” that is truly outstanding, couches, lockers etc.
Warm-ups appear to go well, kids far more focused today, attitude seems right, hustling for balls etc. TCLL of course does it up big. Lithuanian flag hanging on the back-stop, announcer has obviously been up half the night practicing the names, music played between innings, copy of all the music put on a CD for VN to take home, maybe we will never hear again Born Free and Send in the Clowns at the Utena ballpark. The water in the dugout has not been iced down, a small touch but one I noticed and appreciated. A huge turn out of fans to watch the game, would guess around 300 folks, a large Lit contingent plus host families from both NMV and LRLL to watch “their kids”.
The umpires are all announced and the Jeff Robinson and Rob Nen, both of whom had long and very successful MLB pitching careers. The umps and these two gentlemen go the mound and then each kid is introduced, Lits given a bag with a t-shirt, pin etc. all with TCLL logos, special stuff as they are TCLL in Europe. Both the Lit and the local player go to the mound and shake hands with the umps and the aforementioned MLB veterans. Both national anthems are played, Lit kids proudly sing along to the music. The Lits are to play Carolina managed by the President of TCLL, Ricardo Nieva, who gets what LL is all about and has a great organization of volunteers. The first five batters for Lit all hit the ball, no strike outs. With two outs, up comes Adomas, who strokes a clean double, he is standing on second base, I am next to the third base fence, close to VN in the third base coaches box, crowd is applauding and I yell out to Adomas, NO PSP, NO Strike OUT, DOUBLE. VN collapses in laughter, Adomas has the giggles on the base and is just beaming, he is a cool little guy.
Lits play like we all know they can and win the game 7-4. Post game all given the must have cheeseburgers, all sit in the stands with the team members that they just played, a true international coming together, great thing to see. One of the local folks of Lit heritage gave each kid a beautiful book all about the Pirates of the Caribbean ride that they all went on many time at Disneyland.
My esteemed District Administrator, Ezio Petrella, threw a party at 8:00 pm for the Lit adults, the Presidents of the Leagues, the host family adults at one of the famous eateries here Olemendes, tremendous Mexican food. John Rollins who you have seen mentioned in this missive, knows the owners and pulled off the party of parties. Seven piece band playing authentic Mexican music and food to die for. The party was a huge thank you for all that everyone did to pull off this adventure, and a great time was had by all.
Photo of VN, Cyndi Boatwright and Arnie at the dinner
Ana and Egilides celebrate Mexican Style!
Anne from Dublin who went with the team from Dublin, an eight hour drive from here, packed he husband and now 16 year old son in their car and drove down to see the team and Egle. Egle was her host Mom when in Lit., a very cool thing to do, know Egle was thrilled to see her.
Speeches by Ezio and myself and then VN spoke. He was very gracious in his thanks to all for pulling this all together and got emotional at times during his speech. Egle also spoke in her beautiful English about what this trip has meant to all the kids and the adults, truly a class act. Arnie repeated a story of when a reporter wanted to interview a couple of the kids and Arnie acted as translator. Neither kid heard what the other answered to the same question: “what has been the greatest part of your visit?” Both kids answered exactly the same, “it has been the people we have meet, everyone has been so very nice to us”. For an 11-12 year old kid to say this, just warms your heart, not the beach, not Disneyland, the greatest part of the adventure is the people.
On day 14 they will play their last game at 1:00 pm against LRLL this weeks host families, then to one the pool complexes within the community for a BBQ.
