Little Leaguers treated like kings
by Maria C. Hunt, Union-Tribune staff writer
Web Site
Publication: San Diego Union-Tribune, © 2007
Date published: August 26, 2007
Send This To A Friend
(Click on Web Site link above for story with photos and captions.)
Parade, speeches honor 14 players
SOLANA BEACH – The mood was celebration rather than consolation yesterday as players on the Solana Beach Little League team, nicknamed “The Beach,” were feted like homecoming kings.
The 14 boys on the team faced elimination 14 times in July and August as they played for a spot in the Little League World Series. The team managed to fight its way back each time, until the Aug. 11 game when it lost 7-3 to the Chandler, Ariz., team.
Still, the team got closer to a World Series than any other team in the Solana Beach Little League's 50-year history and made the entire town proud. With two deputies on motorcycles and a blaring fire engine leading the way, the boys and their coaches paraded down Cedros Avenue in convertible Mercedes-Benzes and a BMW.
Steve Reitzler waited for the car carrying his son, starting pitcher Daniel, to come into view.
“He didn't need any cheering up. They had a lot of fun. It had to end sometime,” Reitzler said, a video camera pressed to his right eye. “This is a lot of hoopla for a 12-year-old.”
The short parade ended at a stage decorated with black and teal balloons and the 6-foot trophy the boys won for coming in second in the West Regional final. The team sat down to listen to a concert of congratulations from politicians and dignitaries.
County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price and Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner expressed their pride. Padres Chief Executive Officer Sandy Alderson stopped by to confirm: “You guys are good.” Even California Sen. Barbara Boxer sent certificates and notes for the coaches.
Fidgety after all the speeches, the team brightened when San Diego Chargers Chief Operating Officer Jim Steeg dropped off tickets to watch Thursday's game with the San Francisco 49ers – in a suite.
Pam Balla said her son, Jackson, and his teammates had a life-changing experience during the 10 days they spent in San Bernardino playing baseball and enduring hard beds and bad food in the Little League dorms.
“They were living the dream, and they couldn't believe it,” Balla said. “When he got home, the first thing he asked for was Rubio's fish tacos. That was our celebration dinner.”
The coaches took the microphone and introduced the players, including their nicknames and stories about how each was a hero that season.
Hayden Grant was praised for a hitting streak that included three home runs in one game. Max “Eagle Eyes” Kesselhaut helped out by noticing that an opposing runner failed to tag third base, leading to a crucial out.
Pam Balla started to tear up as coach Danny Schreiber described Jackson as the team's workhorse. After Jackson was hit in the head by a wild pitch, the coach urged him to overcome his fear and go back to the batter's box. Jackson did and hit a home run over the right-field wall.
Trevor Semerdjian said it's been cool and kind of weird to be recognized everywhere.
“I was in Vons with my mom getting groceries and some people came up and said, 'You're Trevor from the Solana Beach All-Stars. Nice home run,' ” he said. “It was a little bit embarrassing.” |
Quick Links:
follow us on TWITTER
find us on FACEBOOK
scuttlebutt news feed
shop solana first
send a custom postcard
post a blog comment
