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***image1***When the Junior All Star girls’ Little League softball team stepped on
the field in Poland to play the championship game against Russia
– the team that had solidly beaten them one year earlier –
everything they had learned, everything they had practiced, the drills,
the plays, was with them.
But Coach Steve Burns saw something new, something different in his 12-member team, ages 13-14.
“They determined right before they walked on the field that they would win,” Coach Burns said.
They had to, said Miya Raymer, 13, pitcher and center fielder. The
Majors, the 11 to 12-year-old girls’ Little League All Star softball
team, had just secured their spot in the Little League World Series in
the states and the Juniors were not about to be left behind.
“When the Majors won, that pumped us up,” Miya said.
Now, for the first time, the KMC is sending two girls’ fast pitch
softball teams to the Little League World Series. The Majors are
heading to Portland Ore. Aug. 10 to 16 and the Juniors play in
Kirkland, Wash. Aug. 13 to 19. For Ashley Ludwig, who plays third base
for the Juniors, beating Russia proved she had grown into her playing,
no longer hesitant to play hard, she said.
“I’d do anything to stop the ball,” she said recalling the championship
game where she made vital plays. “I wanted all the balls that came to
me and to make a perfect throw.”
***image2***Making the team
The Majors played eight games, and won seven, in the tournament where
they earned the title Europe, Middle East, Africa champions. The young
ball players had heart, said Coach Chris Arnold. In every huddle, after
every inning, no matter what the score, the collective attitude was “we
can do this,” he said.
“I never heard a word of ‘we can’t win,” he said. “There was no sour talk at all.”
All of the girls played ball in the youth leagues, sponsored by
435th Services. Some of the young ball-players have been playing fast
pitch softball for two years, others were new to the game this season.
“They surprised me – the fact that they wouldn’t quit,” Coach Arnold said.
Kiarrah Beckett, 12, was reluctant to try out for the Majors All Star
team. Encouraged by her mom and dad, she did it and made the team
playing in the outfield. After the team beat Russia in the championship
game, Kiarrah’s dad called from Iraq.
“He said he was really proud of me,” Kiarrah said.
Watching the Majors warm up, Coach Arnold said he had five returning
players that bolstered his lineup. They had experience and were natural
leaders. But, he was impressed with all of the players.
“I’ve got 13 MVPs,” he said.
Find out more about Little League World Series
http://www.softballworldseries.com/teams/emea.htm” www.softballworldseries.com/teams/emea.htm
http://www.jrsoftballworldseries.com/” www.jrsoftballworldseries.com/
