Hometown Heroes
By John Carroll
Columbus Community News
They romped through district and state. They blew away opponents at region. They fought and scrapped at the Little League World Series.
Eleven boys. Two coaches. One dream - a world championship.
Mission accomplished.
The Northern Little League heroes returned home last week to a frenzied celebration at the Columbus Civic Center. More than 7,000 people packed the house to honor and cheer on the boys. Many brought signs, posters and flags. Some painted their faces. Others sought autographs.
The crowd went berserk when the team entered the arena standing on the back of a huge yellow truck. Chants of "USA! USA!" echoed off the rafters. One by one the players were introduced by an emcee, but the noise was so loud and intense that nobody could hear what was being said.
Manager Randy Morris hugged so many people he looked like Tommy Lasorda, the former L.A. Dodgers skipper. "I love Northern Little League," an emotional Morris said once he got to the microphone.
The players seemed stunned by all the love and affection showered on them and sat stoically in their chairs as one politician after another delivered congratulatory speeches. Former United States President Jimmy Carter confessed he prayed that Columbus would beat Japan. "I guess it's fair to pray that," said Carter.
After the ceremony, the boys were escorted to a hospitality suite where they sat at individual tables and answered questions and signed autographs for hours.
"The celebration at the Civic Center was great," said Kyle Carter, 12, the team's left-handed ace. "I didn't know that many people would be there."