American youth represent England in World Series

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. J. LaVoie
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Six youths from RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall are representing Europe in the 2008 Junior League World Series in Taylor, Mich. 

In order to give local youths an opportunity to play a more competitive level of baseball, several members organized a team and joined the London Youth Baseball League. 

"It really takes a lot of commitment from families because they have a two hour drive every weekend for the better part of three months," said Jimmy Little, coach. 

The dedication paid off when six members of the original team were chosen for the all-star team and named the England national team. This meant they would compete, as a part of the all star team, in the Europe, Middle East, Africa regional baseball tournament in Kutno, Poland in July. 

"[In Poland] all of the teams stay in the dorm so kids really get a chance to see what it's like to be an Italian or Bulgarian baseball player," said Coach Little. "They do get a chance to mingle." 

The team won the tournament and will now represent EMEA at the Junior League World Series in Taylor, Michigan. 

"[I'm excited] because we get to go back to the states," said Cody Warner, right fielder, 14. "We are good at baseball. We are going to win." 

Though they feel they will do well, the Junior League World Series has five international and five American teams. 

"The top 10 teams in the world will be there," said Coach Little. "They know they have to play their best ball to win, but they deserve to be there and they are going to do well."