Our Road To Williamsport
The author and Little League parent reflects on Northern's historic championship
By Chuck Rossi
Special to CCN
Columbus Community News
When Randy Morris called me from Augusta, Ga., on Saturday, July 22, little did I know the ride that awaited my family and me over the next month. The ride included trips to Augusta, St. Petersburg, Fla., and even the opportunity to take my three boys to Williamsport, Penn. It was the ride of a lifetime.
Randy's simple request was to contact the local media and give them an update on the game just completed - Northern's initial win at the state tournament. Randy handed the phone to Beth Lester, the keeper of the team book, who told me about Kyle Carter's three home runs, Cody Walker's solo shot and a fine pitching performance by J.T. Phillips in the 9-0 win over Cartersville.
Contacting the media was not something new to me. I've sort of been the unofficial media relations guy at Northern for a few years. So I worked up a quick recap of the game and e-mailed it to my local contacts. No big deal.
The humble reporting in the early days of the post season is indicative of the team's persona. The basic message was, "We pitched well, hit some home runs, won the game and play tomorrow at noon." This is the businesslike attitude that the guys took all the way through Williamsport.
HIGH EXPECTATIONS. Those of us who have been around this team have long known of its talent. Many speculated that the club had a chance to make it to Williamsport. Having lost in the regional finals in 2004, many felt this year's Northern team had a more complete package to get back to the tournament and even win it.
When the region was won, talk turned to "going deep" in Williamsport. Using this term afforded one the opportunity to say, "See, I told you so" after a variety of outcomes. Most felt the boys could make it to the semifinals and some dared to say the U.S. championship was in reach. Today, no one wants to admit to the limitation we may have put on the team, as that would be admitting that we were wrong.
Randy Morris commented in one of his press conferences that each step along the way made you not only want more but also believe more. Sizing up the U.S. competition, most were saying the Northern team (or Southeast) was right up near the top. Each team, however, had a player or two that were difference-makers and the kind who, if put in the right situation, could almost single-handedly beat another team.
COMPLETE CAST. Some thought this was the case with the Southeast regional champions. Kyle Carter received probably as much pre-tournament hype as any kid in Williamsport. But the participating teams, and even the world, would soon learn the leading man had a great supporting cast. Teams quickly discovered that the Georgia lineup sported a number of vials filled with poison just waiting to strike at the hearts of any opponent.
Josh Lester's clutch hitting, especially after intentional walks to Carter, must have sickened coaches who likely lost sleep replaying game scenarios in their minds in lieu of counting sheep. Those close to Northern Little League have come to grips with this hitting tandem since mid-March.
Walker's amazing blast to right, knocking in Northern's only two runs in the world championship game, was simply an exclamation point on an incredible all-star run. Walker also hit the walkoff grand-slam against Florida in the regional tournament. Those listening to the web cast from Jimmy Lester and Tim Hollis will never forget when Jimmy transitioned from broadcaster to parent and back again. Regardless, we knew what had happened and celebrated with him.
Phillips, Patrick Stallings and Brady Hamilton each came up with timely hits in the World Series and Phillips, along with Kyle Rovig, pitched spectacularly. Rovig pitched well enough to win against Great Lakes. The Illinois pitcher was perhaps the best pitcher we saw in the tournament.
Some of the most unselfish players in the tournament were those batting in the later part of the lineup. Ryan Lang, Mason Meyers, Matthew Hollis and Matthew Kuhlenberg each brought a special contribution to the team. Whether it was a timely hit or walk, a diving catch or an encouraging word to a fellow teammate in a time of need, this was a complete team with one agenda - win.
STANDARD SET. Much has been said about the character of these boys. Early in the tournament, an undisciplined coach and a frantic mom made accusations about the team that bore no basis in reality. Credit goes to the coaches and the media for handling the issue in a manner that protected both the image of Little League baseball, as well as our players.
I believe the 2006 World Series will become a standard for ones to come and even those of the past. Ten years from now when a team wins the tournament, they will be watched to see how they handle their victory. Will the joint victory lap be an obligatory gesture or a genuine expression of honor fitting for the No. 2 team in the world?
This year's victory lap was a lap of honor and compassion. Were it not for the language and cultural differences between the two teams, one could have surmised that a group of friends were sharing the victory of one and the great effort of the other. But then again, tears transcend language and culture, and the World Series champs used theirs to reach out to their new friends.
Whether through television, newsprint, radio, web cast or the marvelous communication tool developed by John Broom and known around the world as northernll.org, thousands of people were able to enjoy this ride just as I did. Players became like sons, grandsons or nephews and kids across the country now have new brothers.
Looking back, I'm grateful for Randy's phone call and the opportunity afforded me to ride along on this trip of a lifetime. Perhaps the thing many will remember most, but few will articulate, is that the team shared the experience with us. When the team says, "We won!", they are including you and me.