“I will play fair and strive to win, but win or lose I will always do my best.” McAllister Park Little League’s pledge is one of encouragement and a great motto to live by. In recent weeks the league did their best and won enough games to get to the Little League World Series (LLWS). Even though they lost the championship, they were still victorious.
It is nothing to scoff at when a little league team out of a worldwide bracket of 17,000 clubs reaches the final four and finishes fourth place in the world and second in the United States. Such accomplishments were rewarded with a strong welcoming party from the city of San Antonio.
“Realistically, going to the LLWS was never a goal but more of a dream for the team,” says Lee Willis, assistant coach. “Our goals for the season were to win state. The team just started to win games at the right times.”
McAllister Park Little League won the Southwest Regional Championship and then beat out teams from all over the United States. Many members of the media as well as fans were amazed at how calm the team was about going to the LLWS.
“Even with all the cameras and fans at the LLWS, I think the boys were more nervous playing at home in front of family and friends than nationally,” Willis says. “When we finally got to the LLWS it was more a feeling of let’s go out there and have a fun time and try not to embarrass ourselves on national television than actually winning first place.”
Now that they are back at home and in school, the team celebrated as the first San Antonio Little League team to play in the LLWS playoffs.
“When we got back home there were so many events to go to,” a well-rested Willis says with a laugh. “At this point it’s like we have done all we can do.”
The team is now back in school catching up on missed school days and getting back into more sports. The team, minus two players, is currently deep into the football season. Next year, not all of the same players will play for McAllister Park Little League.
Little League is for ages 10-12. Many of the members turned 13 this year. So, going to the LLWS was a great way to end the season with a note of excitement and great memories.
