Thursday, August 25, 2011

Proud of Keystone Little League...

Last Week, my son, his friend and I set off for our annual trip to Williamsport to take in the first weekend of the Little League World Series.  We watched so many games and all the players and fans were great.  On Friday we sat next to the West parents and they were all fabulous.  We knew it would be hard to get seats for the big game at 8pm, so we decided to head out onto Little League Hill to take in the night game.  Already there were thousands of fans who had shown up to get a seat to watch the game.  We made our way through the crowds and found a nice spot in left center field about half way up.  I thought to myself, "Wow, this is a ton of people...".  It rained that day and the ground was wet.  Immediately a couple, who had nothing to do with Little League baseball offered up their blanket.  These folks came out to support their boys.  I looked around and all I saw was a sea of blue "Keystone" shirts.  I thought, "Wow, if they don't win this could be one ugly crowd".  That evening I heard nothing but great comments and positive cheers.  The boys lost that night and in the end all the fans stood up and cheered their good effort.  Do you think they know the Little League Parent Volunteer Pledge?  "...I will praise a good effort despite the outcome of the game".  I doubt it.  They were just good folks who where just happy to have their boys playing in the Little League World Series.  The Keystone kids went on to win the next three and each time it was the same thing.  The fans were great.  You would have thought they all graduated from the Positive Coaching Alliance Parents course.  Well tonight was the Keystone Little League's final game.  They lost in a 2-0 game against the California team representing the West region.  Once again, the same thing happened.  The fans stood up and cheered for their boys.  It was a great site to see.  What happened at the game tonight should be the norm not the rarity.  More and more we are seeing youth sports get out of hand.  Parents yelling and screaming.  Players being ejected.  When does it end?  I am so proud to be affiliated with Little League and Keystone Little League represented our organization well.  All the teams have, but especially Keystone.  Over 150,000 people watched them play their games in the last week and not once did it go to their heads.  They brought their small town together, their county together and I dare say they are helping to bring goodness back to youth sports.  One day my hope is that my league, Four County Little League, can also help it's small town of Mount Airy, Md the way Keystone has helped Clinton County.  Not by winning the Little League World Series, but by showing the world that Little League is more than just baseball.  We are teaching kids life lessons through this great sport of baseball and that those lessons will shape our youth and make a better tomorrow for all of us.  It is hard to think that a little game of baseball could do that, but I believe Little League baseball is one way that we can.