International Love

One of the really great experiences at the LLWS is seeing the teams and fans in the International Division.  Such enthusiasm!

Last year, the team from Uganda was the first team from Africa to make it to Williamsport, and what a story it was!  As you can imagine, their league back home was modestly equipped - - the kids practiced and played barefoot. 

So when they made it to the LLWS and were presented with new shoes, they had to tread (groan) lightly.  They practiced first with the right shoe on, then with the left shoe own.  Certainly didn't want to get blisters the first day.

When the first batter got a hit, the stadium erupted.  If you were watching at home, you had to feel something for those kids.

This year, the Czech Republic and Australia are making their debut, and they are pumped up!  These developing baseball programs are showing a lot of promise and a lot of heart.  They come to Williamsport with the same dreams as the others, but I'm sure their expectations are realistic.

One of my fellow umpires, John Ignacio, shared this exchange he had with the Czech coach during their game with Japan:

Coach:  You see scoreboard?
John:    Yeah?
Coach:  We make Japan play 6 innings.  That our goal.  We make champions play 6 innings!

Not only that, but they lost to the Canadian team by only one run.  The Czech team also has the only girl in this year's series, a catcher.  I would love to have had the plate assignment in one of their games so we could have had dueling pony tails.

The Australian team is so excited to be a part of the magic in Williamsport.  They are well-coached, focused, and clearly have a lot of talent -- they just haven't been able to string those hits together. 

Last night I watched the Japan-Chinese Taipei match-up, and it was the game you'd expect.  Disciplined teams, precise fundamentals, enthusiastic fans, a joy to watch.  Seeing the Chinese Taipei moms and dads dancing to "Cotton-Eyed Joe" was a special treat.

MVP of the game?  In my opinion, it was the P.A. Announcer at Lamade Stadium.  He didn't flub a single player's name . . . as if I would know.



Not sure if this is a fan or a team mascot, but he was definitely a photo op!