but inside, the laptops and DVD's and notebooks are cranking out the plans for the upcoming seasons. Schedules and practices and line-ups, oh my! Find education and inspiration by attending clinics offered by colleges or coaching associations, or Little League!
New and veteran coaches, and league officials are invited to Little League Softball clinics around the country during February and March, featuring Michele Smith.
Here is a rundown of the events:
Feb. 9 in Bellevue, Wash. (Western Region)
Feb. 10 in Albuquerque, N.M. (Southwest Region)
March 1 in Kalamazoo, Mich. (Central Region)
March 2 at the Southern Region Headquarters in St. Petersburg, Fla.
March 9 at the East Region Headquarters in Bristol, Conn.
I'm a huge fan of Michele Smith. She is a class act and an excellent role model for young softball players. She is fan-friendly and "gets it." :) Enhance your season and your coaching notebooks with practical advice from a top-note softball player!
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
2008: Here We Come!
Sunday's Super Bowl puts the 2007 football season to bed. Sure, there is the Pro-Bowl, but that is just really their team party, if you will, where everyone gets together and remembers the good times.
It also opens the Spring/Summer sports season for me, and more specifically, softball (and baseball, too, but that's for another board). It's gonna be a banner year for the sport of softball, as media coverage of women's competitive softball will reach a new high, lots of televised games, and interest that will culminate in late summer with the Beijing Olympics.
High school tryouts begin February 18 in our area, and all over, youth leagues and teams are finalizing registrations and teams.
Best wishes to you all as you begin the 2008 season. I look forward to bringing to you information and photos about this great team sport that I love.
It also opens the Spring/Summer sports season for me, and more specifically, softball (and baseball, too, but that's for another board). It's gonna be a banner year for the sport of softball, as media coverage of women's competitive softball will reach a new high, lots of televised games, and interest that will culminate in late summer with the Beijing Olympics.
High school tryouts begin February 18 in our area, and all over, youth leagues and teams are finalizing registrations and teams.
Best wishes to you all as you begin the 2008 season. I look forward to bringing to you information and photos about this great team sport that I love.
Monday, August 20, 2007
2007 Little League Softball: Final Thoughts
It is raining here in Portland today...kinda feels like Fall, and gives us a kinship with the Lake Oswego LL team at Williamsport who are rained-out today.
It's a good day to wrap-up the 2007 Little League Softball World Series...
Organized youth sports are full of hope and joy and anguish. Thanks to a worldwide audience, Little League is in the spotlight and so is our country's complex relationship with kids and sports. It is important to ask, "What are the kids getting out of all this?"
Here is the diary of a young athlete from the Little League Softball World Series that highlights "the experience of a lifetime."
"Morristown's nickname could be Home of Champions"
And finally, the pictures from the Closing Ceremony are a testament to the notion that all the fuss is about kids...
It's a good day to wrap-up the 2007 Little League Softball World Series...
Organized youth sports are full of hope and joy and anguish. Thanks to a worldwide audience, Little League is in the spotlight and so is our country's complex relationship with kids and sports. It is important to ask, "What are the kids getting out of all this?"
Here is the diary of a young athlete from the Little League Softball World Series that highlights "the experience of a lifetime."
"Morristown's nickname could be Home of Champions"
And finally, the pictures from the Closing Ceremony are a testament to the notion that all the fuss is about kids...
Thursday, August 16, 2007
LL Softball World Series Wrap-Up
Thanks for hanging with the blog this summer. It has been a real treat to follow the teams and communities that are involved in Little League Softball, especially the final ten that make it to the World Series in Portland. This is the 14th year that Alpenrose has hosted the tournament, and it never looked better.
Many people make this event happen: tournament staff, housing families, field crews, Alpenrose employees...and they are on-site for about two weeks straight. That's a lot of time away from home and family for the benefit of 11-13 year-olds and their families and fans, from all over the world.
I played, coached and umpired Little League Softball at Alpenrose in the late 70's and early 80's. My dad was the manager and my mom was the co-Tournament Director. My poor sister was #1 fan until she started playing herself (and then proceeded to make every eligible All-Star team). Every day I am at the LLSBWS, my dad (the current webmaster) and I run into someone we played ball with or their parents or friends from High School taking their daughters up to watch softball. This is COMMUNITY.
Michele Smith frequently discusses this on the ESPN broadcasts of Little League Softball. These are the best teams that the rules of Little League produce each summer. We are lucky to have her doing the broadcasts, as she is a role model for the players as well as someone who stresses playing the game for fun and with families in your neighborhood.
As for the grass infield at Alpenrose, I know you softball purists are having a fit... But the truth is, the facility is one of the best in the country and a unique opportunity to play in a well-loved, well-cared-for stadium that has "kids" written all over it. It is not a huge park with several dirt fields and played on by slo-pitch mens teams. The grass infield looks great on TV and yes, it does slow the game down, but I don't think it makes a huge difference at this age.
And finally, congrats again to Morristown LL, Tennessee (South), and Elgin LL, Texas (Southwest), for battling through Districts, Regionals and making it back to the LLSBWS and giving us a championship game for the ages. The South team won, 3-2, but in a best of three series, it might have been different -- these were two great teams.
Press Coverage:
The Citizen Tribune (Tennessee)
Elgin Courier
The Oregonian
Beaverton Valley Times (Oregon)
Many people make this event happen: tournament staff, housing families, field crews, Alpenrose employees...and they are on-site for about two weeks straight. That's a lot of time away from home and family for the benefit of 11-13 year-olds and their families and fans, from all over the world.
I played, coached and umpired Little League Softball at Alpenrose in the late 70's and early 80's. My dad was the manager and my mom was the co-Tournament Director. My poor sister was #1 fan until she started playing herself (and then proceeded to make every eligible All-Star team). Every day I am at the LLSBWS, my dad (the current webmaster) and I run into someone we played ball with or their parents or friends from High School taking their daughters up to watch softball. This is COMMUNITY.
Michele Smith frequently discusses this on the ESPN broadcasts of Little League Softball. These are the best teams that the rules of Little League produce each summer. We are lucky to have her doing the broadcasts, as she is a role model for the players as well as someone who stresses playing the game for fun and with families in your neighborhood.
As for the grass infield at Alpenrose, I know you softball purists are having a fit... But the truth is, the facility is one of the best in the country and a unique opportunity to play in a well-loved, well-cared-for stadium that has "kids" written all over it. It is not a huge park with several dirt fields and played on by slo-pitch mens teams. The grass infield looks great on TV and yes, it does slow the game down, but I don't think it makes a huge difference at this age.
And finally, congrats again to Morristown LL, Tennessee (South), and Elgin LL, Texas (Southwest), for battling through Districts, Regionals and making it back to the LLSBWS and giving us a championship game for the ages. The South team won, 3-2, but in a best of three series, it might have been different -- these were two great teams.
Press Coverage:
The Citizen Tribune (Tennessee)
Elgin Courier
The Oregonian
Beaverton Valley Times (Oregon)
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Morristown LL (Tennessee) is 2007 LLSoftball Champ!
The 2007 Little League Softball World Series is in the books...And what a fantastic championship game to end the tournament!
Tonight's final game lived up to its billing: when two undefeated teams meet, something has to give. Both South (Morristown LL, Tennessee) and Southwest (Elgin LL, Texas) sailed through Pool Play and yesterday's semi-final games giving ESPN2 commentators plenty of great softball to talk about. In the end, the South team prevailed 3-2 in the best LLSBWS Championship Game I have ever seen.
Thanks to the young athletes who play Little League Softball -- it is for you that dozens of volunteers work year 'round to present you with an amazing experience as you cap off a signature summer of softball.
Congratulations to all the girls and their families/fans who made it to Portland, Oregon, for this exciting week of play and activities in the Northwest. We are honored to have had you here -- please come back and visit and be sure to say HI!
Tonight's final game lived up to its billing: when two undefeated teams meet, something has to give. Both South (Morristown LL, Tennessee) and Southwest (Elgin LL, Texas) sailed through Pool Play and yesterday's semi-final games giving ESPN2 commentators plenty of great softball to talk about. In the end, the South team prevailed 3-2 in the best LLSBWS Championship Game I have ever seen.
Thanks to the young athletes who play Little League Softball -- it is for you that dozens of volunteers work year 'round to present you with an amazing experience as you cap off a signature summer of softball.
Congratulations to all the girls and their families/fans who made it to Portland, Oregon, for this exciting week of play and activities in the Northwest. We are honored to have had you here -- please come back and visit and be sure to say HI!
Championship Day at LLSBWS
All the teams from the 2007 Little League Softball World Series are in action today, starting at 9am, and games about every two hours up until the championship at 6:30pm (PDT) televised live on ESPN2:
Game 23: EMEA (KMC American LL, Ramstein AFB, Germany) vs. Canada (Turtle Club LL, Windsor, Ontario), 9am
Game 24: OregonDist4 (Beaverton Area LL, Beaverton, Oregon) vs. Asia Pacific (ILLAM Central LL, Makati City, Philippines), 11am
Game 25: Latin America (Asofem LL, Maunabo, Puerto Rico) vs. West (Gilroy LL, Gilroy, California), 1pm
Game 26: Central (Gladstone LL, Gladstone, Michigan) vs. East (Waterford South LL, Waterford, Connecticut), 3pm
(a little break to prep fields and prepare for ESPN)
Game 27: South (Morristown Am/Natl LL, Morristown, Tennessee) vs. Southwest (Elgin LL, Elgin, Texas), 6:30pm...winner is 2007 Champion!
Here are some newspaper links about last night's action:
The Morristown Citizen Tribune
The Elgin Courier
TheDay.com (Connecticut)
The Daily Press (Michigan) on the semi-final game and meeting Michele Smith
The Portland Oregonian
Game 23: EMEA (KMC American LL, Ramstein AFB, Germany) vs. Canada (Turtle Club LL, Windsor, Ontario), 9am
Game 24: OregonDist4 (Beaverton Area LL, Beaverton, Oregon) vs. Asia Pacific (ILLAM Central LL, Makati City, Philippines), 11am
Game 25: Latin America (Asofem LL, Maunabo, Puerto Rico) vs. West (Gilroy LL, Gilroy, California), 1pm
Game 26: Central (Gladstone LL, Gladstone, Michigan) vs. East (Waterford South LL, Waterford, Connecticut), 3pm
(a little break to prep fields and prepare for ESPN)
Game 27: South (Morristown Am/Natl LL, Morristown, Tennessee) vs. Southwest (Elgin LL, Elgin, Texas), 6:30pm...winner is 2007 Champion!
Here are some newspaper links about last night's action:
The Morristown Citizen Tribune
The Elgin Courier
TheDay.com (Connecticut)
The Daily Press (Michigan) on the semi-final game and meeting Michele Smith
The Portland Oregonian
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
2007 LLSBWS Championship is Set
Congratulations to the teams from Morristown, Tennessee (South) and Elgin, Texas (Southwest), who will meet tomorrow at 6:30pm on ESPN2 to determine the 2007 champion of Little League Softball.
In tonight's first semi-final game, Southwest defeated Central (Gladstone, Michigan), 6-1. Southwest will face the South team, who beat the East (Waterford, Connecticut) team in the 2nd semi-final game of the evening, 10-1. Both South and Southwest battled through the tournament without a loss.
In tonight's first semi-final game, Southwest defeated Central (Gladstone, Michigan), 6-1. Southwest will face the South team, who beat the East (Waterford, Connecticut) team in the 2nd semi-final game of the evening, 10-1. Both South and Southwest battled through the tournament without a loss.
So Many Good Stories...
The Little League Softball World Series produces so many wonderful stories...stories of cool housing families who give up ten days and devote their home, vehicle and kitchen table to girls from all over the world here to play a softball tournament...
stories of international teams traveling long distances and enjoying Oregon and American culture...
stories of tournament volunteers who spend HOURS up at Alpenrose painting and grilling hamburgers and arranging travel and selling souvenirs and posting scores on websites and faxing press releases to the newspapers...
and raking, cutting, and painting Alpenrose fields so that these girls have their "Field of Dreams" to play on during their memorable experience at the World Series. The fieldwork has been lovingly orchestrated by Mike Hebrard of Athletic Field Design for 15 years...and he wouldn't have it any other way.
Mike and his crew, including former LL ump Bob Proctor (who travels down from Tacoma, Washington, every year to help out) and son Andy, who plays baseball at Feather River College in northern California and literally grew up prepping fields at Alpenrose, begin work on the fields just as soon as the regular league and all-star schedules wrap-up. And since Oregon District 4 is very busy, that doesn't leave much time!
I always enjoy talking about Oregon youth softball and baseball, and sat down with Mike and Bob in between LLSoftbal World Series games to visit about the "Keep America Playing" t-shirts all his guys were wearing. "This is a movement to educate volunteers and coaches about maintaining fields," Mike told me. (more information can be found at www.keepamericaplaying.com) I have no problem telling you that Keep America Playing is presented by Turface -- without Turface, we wouldn't be able to play baseball and softball in Oregon. Period.
Because I spend a lot of time around ballparks, I was especially impressed by this effort. Keeping the diamonds safe and playable is essential to a positive experience for the kids. Pride in a community park shows pride in the community and our nation is built on strong communities. (off my soapbox now :)
Field maintenance is usually volunteer dads who are happy to help, but are not experts beyond raking and mowing, maybe one guy is really good with the chalk... Giving leagues and teams some information about how to really care for and extend the life of our fields goes a long way in promoting and preserving our favorite sports of baseball and softball.
When you're watching the semi-final games tonight on ESPN2, think about Mike and Bob and they guys who work behind the scenes to give the girls a Big League Ballpark experience right there in the middle of a working dairy.
stories of international teams traveling long distances and enjoying Oregon and American culture...
stories of tournament volunteers who spend HOURS up at Alpenrose painting and grilling hamburgers and arranging travel and selling souvenirs and posting scores on websites and faxing press releases to the newspapers...
and raking, cutting, and painting Alpenrose fields so that these girls have their "Field of Dreams" to play on during their memorable experience at the World Series. The fieldwork has been lovingly orchestrated by Mike Hebrard of Athletic Field Design for 15 years...and he wouldn't have it any other way.
Mike and his crew, including former LL ump Bob Proctor (who travels down from Tacoma, Washington, every year to help out) and son Andy, who plays baseball at Feather River College in northern California and literally grew up prepping fields at Alpenrose, begin work on the fields just as soon as the regular league and all-star schedules wrap-up. And since Oregon District 4 is very busy, that doesn't leave much time!
I always enjoy talking about Oregon youth softball and baseball, and sat down with Mike and Bob in between LLSoftbal World Series games to visit about the "Keep America Playing" t-shirts all his guys were wearing. "This is a movement to educate volunteers and coaches about maintaining fields," Mike told me. (more information can be found at www.keepamericaplaying.com) I have no problem telling you that Keep America Playing is presented by Turface -- without Turface, we wouldn't be able to play baseball and softball in Oregon. Period.
Because I spend a lot of time around ballparks, I was especially impressed by this effort. Keeping the diamonds safe and playable is essential to a positive experience for the kids. Pride in a community park shows pride in the community and our nation is built on strong communities. (off my soapbox now :)
Field maintenance is usually volunteer dads who are happy to help, but are not experts beyond raking and mowing, maybe one guy is really good with the chalk... Giving leagues and teams some information about how to really care for and extend the life of our fields goes a long way in promoting and preserving our favorite sports of baseball and softball.
When you're watching the semi-final games tonight on ESPN2, think about Mike and Bob and they guys who work behind the scenes to give the girls a Big League Ballpark experience right there in the middle of a working dairy.
Little League Softball in the Spotlight Tonight
By advancing to tonight's semi-finals, teams and fans from Gladstone, Michigan, Elgin, Texas, Morristown, Tennessee, and Waterford, Connecticut, are waking up this morning with excitement as their communities will be featured on the live broadcasts of the Little League Softball World Series tonight on ESPN2. These girls have traveled to the west coast, played softball for six straight days, and now have earned one of the coveted TV games.
But before we get to those games, another one will be played on the main field: the annual All-Star Game! This is another LLSBWS tradition that is really meant to solidify the softball experience for the girls who have made the long trip to Portland, but not playing in the ESPN games. The remaining teams will send three girls to the main field to represent their team and play one last game at 10am.
Michele Smith Sighting!
The ESPN crew was onsite last night scouting the teams and talking to folks at the games.
If you live in the Portland area, consider heading up to Alpenrose tonight. How often can you enjoy kids playing their heart out and watching the workings of a national broadcast for FREE! Plus, the ice cream is wonderful and $2 for a huge bowl of your favorite flavor!
But before we get to those games, another one will be played on the main field: the annual All-Star Game! This is another LLSBWS tradition that is really meant to solidify the softball experience for the girls who have made the long trip to Portland, but not playing in the ESPN games. The remaining teams will send three girls to the main field to represent their team and play one last game at 10am.
Michele Smith Sighting!
The ESPN crew was onsite last night scouting the teams and talking to folks at the games.
If you live in the Portland area, consider heading up to Alpenrose tonight. How often can you enjoy kids playing their heart out and watching the workings of a national broadcast for FREE! Plus, the ice cream is wonderful and $2 for a huge bowl of your favorite flavor!
Monday, August 13, 2007
LLSBWS: Semi-Finals are Set!
Prior to the first pitch in tonight's final pool play game, the West team from Gilroy, California, appeared confident and ready to play. Sitting at 2-1 in the Pool Play, they needed the win to earn a spot in Tuesday's semi-final games. The Central team was 1-2 in the pool, so they needed to win and by a comfortable margin, in order to move on.
An overflowing crowd enjoyed a beautiful evening at Alpenrose Stadium. The Central girls, from Gladstone LL, Michigan, posted five runs in the top of the first inning and the West never recovered. After scoring one run in their half of the inning, Gilroy was held scoreless and the celebration was on! "Wake 'em up," the Michigan fans were yelling into their cell phones as they spread the news that their girls were going to be on TV!
So, the Final Four of the 2007 Little League Softball World Series is set:
Game 21
Southwest (1st in Pool A) versus Central (2nd in Pool B)
4pm, televised live on ESPN2
Game 22
South (1st in Pool B) versus East (2nd in Pool A)
6:30pm, televised live on ESPN2
The winners will face off on Wednesday at 6:30pm in the championship airing live on ESPN2.
An overflowing crowd enjoyed a beautiful evening at Alpenrose Stadium. The Central girls, from Gladstone LL, Michigan, posted five runs in the top of the first inning and the West never recovered. After scoring one run in their half of the inning, Gilroy was held scoreless and the celebration was on! "Wake 'em up," the Michigan fans were yelling into their cell phones as they spread the news that their girls were going to be on TV!
So, the Final Four of the 2007 Little League Softball World Series is set:
Game 21
Southwest (1st in Pool A) versus Central (2nd in Pool B)
4pm, televised live on ESPN2
Game 22
South (1st in Pool B) versus East (2nd in Pool A)
6:30pm, televised live on ESPN2
The winners will face off on Wednesday at 6:30pm in the championship airing live on ESPN2.
Monday Morning Fix
Quick post this morning; I am off to a workshop for my "day job" with the Beaverton School District, but will be up at Alpenrose by the end of the South/Asia-Pacific game. I just wanted to get you this morning's news clips:
Dennis Grall's reports on yesterday's Central vs. Asia-Pacific game and the team from the Philippines
The Oregonian
Morristown moves to 3-0
"Waterford Does Its Part..."
Dennis Grall's reports on yesterday's Central vs. Asia-Pacific game and the team from the Philippines
The Oregonian
Morristown moves to 3-0
"Waterford Does Its Part..."
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Lovin' Textmarks!
Just a quick plug for the mobile phone service I have set up here with Textmarks.com
That blue box on the right side of this website allows you to sign up and receive scores from the 2007 Little League Softball World Series on your cell phone. There are 22 subscribers as of right now...the service is free, and has worked well. I can send messages from the website or from my own mobile phone, and will continue through the final game on Wednesday night.
As the tournament moves into the final day of Pool Play, Monday games will be critical for final standings and for placement in the semi-final games on Tuesday, airing live on ESPN2.
At the end of play Sunday night, East has finished with a 3-1 record in Pool A. Team Southwest is undefeated at 3-0 and will play Latin America (2-1) at 5:30.
In Pool B, South is undefeated at 3-0, and both West and Asia Pacific are 2-1. Those two teams will square off tomorrow at 2pm in a key game, while South will finish the tournament with the 8pm game versus Central.
If you can't be near a computer tomorrow, sign up for the Textmark service and stay updated on the scores via your mobile phone.
That blue box on the right side of this website allows you to sign up and receive scores from the 2007 Little League Softball World Series on your cell phone. There are 22 subscribers as of right now...the service is free, and has worked well. I can send messages from the website or from my own mobile phone, and will continue through the final game on Wednesday night.
As the tournament moves into the final day of Pool Play, Monday games will be critical for final standings and for placement in the semi-final games on Tuesday, airing live on ESPN2.
At the end of play Sunday night, East has finished with a 3-1 record in Pool A. Team Southwest is undefeated at 3-0 and will play Latin America (2-1) at 5:30.
In Pool B, South is undefeated at 3-0, and both West and Asia Pacific are 2-1. Those two teams will square off tomorrow at 2pm in a key game, while South will finish the tournament with the 8pm game versus Central.
If you can't be near a computer tomorrow, sign up for the Textmark service and stay updated on the scores via your mobile phone.
Sunday Morning Media
The games finished early yesterday at the LL Softball World Series to leave the afternoon for a fun tournament tradition: the HomeRun Derby. The girls and sometimes siblings coaches, parents, fans, staff... line up to take a crack at launching one over the Alpenrose main field walls.
The Oregonian covered the event and highlighted Kelli Connors' homerun for the East team from Waterford, Connecticut, on Friday.
Connecticut coverage of the East vs. Southwest game
The Morristown Citizen Tribune (Tennessee) featured the South win over Central yesterday.
Gilroy Dispatch on the West team's win over Asia-Pacific.
"Southwest Remains Undefeated in Pool Play" I always love clicking on the Elgin newspaper website and checking out the temperature there and how hot it is! We are so lucky to have a great week of 75-80 degree weather this week :)
The Oregonian covered the event and highlighted Kelli Connors' homerun for the East team from Waterford, Connecticut, on Friday.
Connecticut coverage of the East vs. Southwest game
The Morristown Citizen Tribune (Tennessee) featured the South win over Central yesterday.
Gilroy Dispatch on the West team's win over Asia-Pacific.
"Southwest Remains Undefeated in Pool Play" I always love clicking on the Elgin newspaper website and checking out the temperature there and how hot it is! We are so lucky to have a great week of 75-80 degree weather this week :)
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Wall-to-Wall Little League
I took a little break from softball last night and headed to The Bite of Oregon at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland. We listened to music and enjoyed great "bites" of the best our state has to offer: beef, seafood, microbrews and wine -- delicious.
But I am getting my fill this morning: I have the LL Baseball Midwest Regional on ESPN, and have the LL Softball World Series live boxscore open on my laptop, and the webcast of the same game over the speakers. I'll be heading up to Alpenrose soon, but I am taking it all in while I can. Pity those people that have weddings, family barbeques, etc. today :)
I enjoyed the watching the Central/EMEA game yesterday afternoon. I wanted to meet Dennis Grall, the Michigan reporter who drove out here with his wife to cover the Central team for their local paper. He and I had talked a lot back a few years back when Escanaba LL represented the Central region, but Denny couldn't make the trip.
The Oregonian featured the EMEA team in this morning's paper, and their lack of tournament experience compared to the teams from the United States. The team is made up of American families stationed at the air base in Ramstein, Germany, and I watched as they struggled against pitching faster than they have seen. But I noticed in both their games, they seemed to pull it together after the first inning, settle down, and hit the ball. I would really like to see the Alpenrose crowds appreciate this and take this team under their wing. They represent what this this tournament is all about.
Folks from all over are hanging out up at Alpenrose, all for girls softball. In my wildest dreams as a Little League softballer in the late '70s, I never could have imagined the World Series played there and ESPN coverage, never in a million years. What a blast for these girls and their families...
But I am getting my fill this morning: I have the LL Baseball Midwest Regional on ESPN, and have the LL Softball World Series live boxscore open on my laptop, and the webcast of the same game over the speakers. I'll be heading up to Alpenrose soon, but I am taking it all in while I can. Pity those people that have weddings, family barbeques, etc. today :)
I enjoyed the watching the Central/EMEA game yesterday afternoon. I wanted to meet Dennis Grall, the Michigan reporter who drove out here with his wife to cover the Central team for their local paper. He and I had talked a lot back a few years back when Escanaba LL represented the Central region, but Denny couldn't make the trip.
The Oregonian featured the EMEA team in this morning's paper, and their lack of tournament experience compared to the teams from the United States. The team is made up of American families stationed at the air base in Ramstein, Germany, and I watched as they struggled against pitching faster than they have seen. But I noticed in both their games, they seemed to pull it together after the first inning, settle down, and hit the ball. I would really like to see the Alpenrose crowds appreciate this and take this team under their wing. They represent what this this tournament is all about.
Folks from all over are hanging out up at Alpenrose, all for girls softball. In my wildest dreams as a Little League softballer in the late '70s, I never could have imagined the World Series played there and ESPN coverage, never in a million years. What a blast for these girls and their families...
Friday, August 10, 2007
Friday Morning Media Wrap-Up
The Oregonian ("Puerto Rico Loses Its Opener, But Not Its Way")
Elgin Courier
Daily Press (Michigan) here and here (Vicky Galindo's appearance)
The Day (Connecticut)
Elgin Courier
Daily Press (Michigan) here and here (Vicky Galindo's appearance)
The Day (Connecticut)
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