Little league champions honor Kingfish champions

Everyone knows how important teamwork is in baseball. What many don’t realize is that it’s important in an individual sport such as swimming, too. The Kaiserslautern Kingfish know that and recently had the Little League World Championship organization recognize them and their proven teamwork.

When one of their own, Kingfish member Trevin Elliot, 12, was diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma in October, his teammates wanted to support him as he went through the rigors of chemotherapy. So, in November, team captains Everett Plocek and Thomas Davey organized a head shaving event to let Trevin know his team was there for him. Twenty-two swimmers got together at the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center, and one-by-one, with the team captains and Trevin’s brothers, Taeve and Tuck, leading the way, the swimmers shaved their heads. While the event coincided with the defense of their long distance championship title, everyone present knew Trevin’s battle was the more serious one.

Sgt. Cory Leatherman of Kaiserslautern AFN also came to cover the event. His story on Trevin and the team was viewed online by Carolyn Haon, grandmother of Kingfish swimmers Noah and Chloe Craig. Noah was one of the team members who shaved his head. Haon, in turn, told a friend of hers who works at the headquarters of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Va.  The staff and CEO of the Little League World Series were so touched by the story they decided to do something for the swimmers who braved the cold November winds in Germany with no hair. As a surprise, on Jan. 18, at the last home meet of the season, the boys of the Kingfish swim team who shaved their heads were all presented with official Little League World Championship baseball caps. The caps were presented in appreciation of their support of Trevin and to recognize the value of teamwork and camaraderie.

The caps were much enjoyed by all. As an added bonus, if all goes well, Trevin may be home soon to rejoin his father and brothers who miss him so much and the team that cannot wait to see him again.