Meet in the parking lot at 11:30 a.m., VN spends over an hour re-packing every kid so that all will have two 50 pound bags to check in. Mamma-Shack is a mess, will not come even near me, other host Mom’s protecting her, she would adopt Robertas Vilimas in a heart beat. Mamma-Shack in the parking lot everyday demanded hugs from every kid, first few days, only half would condescend to do this, but by the end of the week, she did not even ask, just got hugs from all.
Rick Maher NMV Nationals manager and a host to two kids the first week agreed to drive his truck filled with bags, Ezio Petrella the DA drove his truck, plus John Rollins and I driving the vans. There was no empty space anywhere, we were filled to the gunnels. Arrive LAX at 2:00 p.m. and all checked in by 3:15 PM. We thankfully got the agent at United LAX who could not have been more helpful, Marla Wilson was a saint. She put us all in a separate area to check-in, did not worry about the bags that were a “little” over weight. We get to the end of the line for check-in, last kid is tiny Lucas Pupininkas. Somehow we and VN miscounted and we have three bags left — oh boy panic ensues as all the other bags have gone down the conveyer belt and are not retrievable. Marla looks at Lucas, “so you have three bags?,” proudly Lucas says “yes I do!!!” Marla says to him, “well young man you are way to cute to mess with, so you get to check in three bags, no extra charge for the third bag”. VN, Arnie and I would have kissed her on the spot if we could have gotten behind the counter, Lucas has the look on his face like this happens all the time to him, no big deal, no problem.
Walk them to the security line, high fives and hugs from all. It was a great experience for all here and I take to heart that every Lit. had the adventure of a lifetime.
Of course this visit could not have happened without the dedication, help and caring from literally hundreds of volunteers at all the leagues.
- The managers, coaches and players of the team that played the Lits.
- The host families, know that on occasion it was difficult, but from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
- Joleen Schafer, NMVLL, Betsy Gray NMVLL and Mamma-Shack, LRLL, for the organization of the hosts, the daily phone calls and emails and dealing I am sure with issues that I was never privvy to.
- Grant Mullen, President NMVLL, Matt Conover President LRLL, for stepping up and agreeing to be the host family leagues, and having the Presidential skill to anoint the three ladies already mentioned to be my go to folks.
- Matt for converting this missive to the blog everyday.
- The spectacular John Rollins for giving up your life for two weeks to be the van driver and Disneyland tour guide.
- Ezio Petrella, District Administrator California 68, who always has the kids at the forefront, who agreed to fight the battle to get them here.
- Jim Gertstenslager, Western Region Administrator, who said if EMEA blesses the trip, bring them here, you guys have my blessing.
- The EMEA Regional Director, Beata Kaszuba, who blessed the visit and signed the special games request.
Sure I have forgotten someone, probably many, but please know, that all involved made it the trip of a lifetime for these very special kids, from a very special place, who love the game we call our own.
Lastly if I may, I thank the wonderful Debra Griffith, who allowed me to disappear for 8 plus hours a day for two weeks, never complained when I crawled into the bed at 2 plus a.m. and had the alarm go off at 6 plus a.m. — she just rocks, married way over my head.
So they are on their way home, 19 hours or so, will miss them all, time for a nap, this is the end of an adventure that hopefully we get to enjoy again at some point.
Ed. note: On behalf of all the players, siblings, parents and friends who made a whole new set of friends and memories that will last forever — thank you to Sam Griffith — for having the vision, the patience, the persistence and most of all the love for the game that he knows is universal — from Eastern Europe to Orange County, the game of baseball is the spirit that unites…. MKC
