2009 Little League World Series...

[SupaDave]

Well it's going on right now and I've become a fan in recent years having made four trips there in the past few years - including just getting back from there Tuesday night.

I thought I'd share a little with you guys b/c I happen to be the big cousin of two of the largest kids ever to play Little League Baseball.

Mind you, there's a lot going on with this b/c they played for the Saudi Arabian team but they are Americans and the older brother is now back in the states doing what my family does best - which is basketball.

It's a cool experience and even nicer to see who's played in those sleepy mountains. I even had press credentials this year so I got some wonderful insight into what goes on in the backrooms of the "world's greatest sports network".

I enjoyed myself and my young cousins enjoyed the attention. Now it's back to the real world b/c we've got some scholarships to get...

My boys!!!

The brothers...
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=654631426267

Cameron - the stud...
http://search.espn.go.com/little-league-world-series-durley/

The WIN!!!!
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4422458

Aaron - the pacesetter...
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2555788&type=story
http://backporch.fanhouse.com/2007/08/18/aaron-durley-is-610-280-pounds-and-is-playing-in-the-litt/

[BlueDevilBaby]

I absolutely love watching the LLWS but have never attended. The poise and ability of these youngsters amazes me each year. Hope I have half of it during my softball tournament this weekend!

[jimbonelson]

although i never have been to pa. to see the llws, being from Aberdeen Maryland i often go see the Cal Ripkin world series. I would rather pay to watch these young kids play(which is free) then pay money down the road a few miles to see the Orioles play
Well it's going on right now and I've become a fan in recent years having made four trips there in the past few years - including just getting back from there Tuesday night.

I thought I'd share a little with you guys b/c I happen to be the big cousin of two of the largest kids ever to play Little League Baseball.

Mind you, there's a lot going on with this b/c they played for the Saudi Arabian team but they are Americans and the older brother is now back in the states doing what my family does best - which is basketball.

It's a cool experience and even nicer to see who's played in those sleepy mountains. I even had press credentials this year so I got some wonderful insight into what goes on in the backrooms of the "world's greatest sports network".

I enjoyed myself and my young cousins enjoyed the attention. Now it's back to the real world b/c we've got some scholarships to get...

My boys!!!

The brothers...
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=654631426267

Cameron - the stud...
http://search.espn.go.com/little-league-world-series-durley/

The WIN!!!!
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4422458

Aaron - the pacesetter...
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2555788&type=story
http://backporch.fanhouse.com/2007/08/18/aaron-durley-is-610-280-pounds-and-is-playing-in-the-litt/

[dukepsy1963]

My wife and I have been fans for many years. These kids are absolutely special. Since we dont have any children of our own, we kinda see them as our own.

Really looking forward to the windup this weekend. We especially like the coach from Texas. He is a great role model, although all of the coaches are.

I think Mexico and Cal will play in the final. What hitters those guys from California are........yeow!

If you want to see some real baseball, tune in!

[whereinthehellami]

The size of some of these kids is something else. Really, really hard to believe that they are 12 and 13. Its not the height but how they are filled out and coordinated. Times have definately changed.

The player's skills are light years ahead of when I played. These kids turn double plays on a routine basis.

Williamsport is a nice town. We always stop there on our way to Buffalo at the Wegmans. The LLWS is something special all the way around, especially the way Williamsport embraces it.

[SupaDave]

Williamsport is a nice town. We always stop there on our way to Buffalo at the Wegmans. The LLWS is something special all the way around, especially the way Williamsport embraces it.

I don't even know if "embrace" is even the right word. It's a PART of the town.

You have to see the musuem with folks like George Bush Jr. up in there. There are some names of some pretty high profile folks who have come through Williamsport. It is NOT a place you find by accident.

Took my baby cousin to work out at a local gym and when they realized who we were they practically gave us the keys!!! It helps to have ESPN following you around of course but those folks have big warm hearts up there.

And of course they are big time Steelers and Penn State fans up there as well.

[whereinthehellami]

And of course they are big time Steelers and Penn State fans up there as well.

Lets try and keep things positive:)

[DUKIE V(A)]

SupaDave,

As a close follower and big fan of the LLWS and a Little League baseball Caoch, I wanted to say your cousins can really play. Congrats! The Saudi teams have been very competitive in recent years (and perhaps especially this year). Glad to hear that you are a fan of the Little League World Series having experienced it first-hand. I hear people bashing it, but it is a great event for the kids involved (and all the kids who have the opportunity to try to make it). Our Little League hosted the Virginia State tournament and it was great to see such great excitement and sportsmanship (win or lose).

I was lucky enough to represent Europe in the 1982 LLWS. I lived on a since closed Air Force Base in Spain called Torrejon at the time. Back then Saudi was considered a European team as only 8 teams made it worldwide (Europe, Far East, Latin America, Canada, East, West, Midwest?, and South I think). It's funny because we had to beat the Saudi team and Ramstein Air Force Base in our Round Robin tourney to make it to Williamsport (both of whom were able to make it this year). Saudi and Rota Naval Base, Spain were our toughest competition. I saw that Saudi's first year making the LLWS was the year after we made it. Pretty interesting news to me. You could definitely tell they were pretty organized in 1982 even as a 12 year old. Sounds like future teams have just built on that foundation.

Back in 1982 you played 3 games in the LLWS with every game being an elimination game or a consolation game. We lost 3-0 to a Canadian team that featured two future NHL players (Pierre Turgeon pitched against us). We then beat the US East team from Easton, MD (18-7) in 4 innings and lost 9-1 to Latin America in the 5th/6th game pitched by future Major Leaguer Wilson Alverez.

Interestingly, the big star of the tournament that year was Cody Webster of the West representative from Washington State who based on a Where Are They Now? series article in Sports Illustrated never grew much bigger than he was at age 12. He pitched the final game (a 5-0 victory over a team from the Far East back when they won just about every year) over 2 teammates who each got a cup of coffee pitching for the SF Giants. Amazing how much talent there is at the LLWS.

Those were great times. Watching kids like your cousins have so much fun brings me back. Thanks for sharing!

[riverside6]

great story...thanks for sharing that!