Little League World Series: El Segundo All-Stars soak in Williamsport’s baseball heaven
Since arriving in Williamsport, Pa., on Saturday, El Segundo Little League manager Danny Boehle has made a point of rising before the sun, grabbing a cup of coffee and taking a seat inside Howard J. Lamade Stadium.
Then, he cries.
“As a kid you dream about getting to play at the Little League World Series but it’s just impossible,” Boehle said. “We’re very lucky to be here. I get very emotional just thinking about it.”
The West Region champions play their opening game against Ohio, the Great Lakes Region representative, at 4 p.m. PT Thursday (ESPN2).
With roots so deep in the South Bay that “we go back eight generations,” Boehle said he is grateful to spend time every morning this week reflecting on the special people in his life, especially those who have passed.
“I come from a really big family that loves sports,” Boehle said. “Grandfathers, great grandfathers, aunts and uncles, cousins. They’d all be so over the moon for what we’re doing.”
It’s a perspective that he’s tried to share with his players. So far, Boehle said, only a few have shown signs of picking up on just how rare an opportunity they have in Williamsport.
“They can’t really see what I see and part of it is they’re 11 and 12 and their brains aren’t even mature yet,” Boehle said. “For most of them it’s like, ‘Let’s just keep playing ball until we can’t anymore.’
“They’re not old enough to say, ‘Holy crap. We really are lucky.’ And it doesn’t matter how many times I tell them, ‘1-in-5,000’ or whatever. It doesn’t really sink in,” Boehle said.
The families of the players each has had to make travel and lodging plans to get to Williamsport.
“It’s like, ‘All right, parents, you’re on your own. See you Thursday at the game!’” said Jack Baker, father of centerfielder Max Baker.
After winning the West Region tournament in San Bernardino on Friday night, the team was whisked at 4 a.m. to Ontario International Airport for their chartered flight direct to Williamsport.
“It’s a little crazy but they treat them like professionals at every step,” said Baker, himself a former pro hockey player. “This is such a great experience for the players. It really is a dream come true for them.”
In the quick turnaround, several players were affected by a stomach virus but all are back to full health after short stints in the on-site infirmary.
“This place is like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory but for baseball,” Boehle said. “It’s pretty awesome. They have everything you need plus free video games and free food all the time.”
Rain early this week has hampered efforts to get on the field but the team did manage a low-energy practice on Sunday followed by media day with ESPN crews Monday. On Thursday, it takes on New Albany Little League from New Albany, Ohio.
“I think the kids have been really confident and mature about the whole thing,” Boehle said. “I believe that’s a testament to how we’ve coached them.”
The LLWS began Wednesday with two games each in the United States bracket and the International bracket. The double-elimination tournament concludes Sunday, Aug. 27 with the championship game at noon PT (ABC).