Feb 07, 2012
Pearland heads to field of dreams in Williamsport
August 18, 2010
PEARLAND — Every kid who has ever played little league baseball has fantasized about playing in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.
The first Little League World Series was held in 1947 in South Williamsport. A team from Williamsport defeated Lock Haven, Pa., 16-7 for the championship.
In the first World Series, all the teams except one were from Pennsylvania. At the time, Little League only existed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Within a few years, Little League was played in all states, and the first Little Leagues outside the 48 states were in Panama, Canada and Hawaii, in 1950.
The first international champion was from Monterey, Mexico, in 1957.
The championship was first televised in 1953 (by CBS).
There have been some great major league players who played at the Little League World Series including Derek Bell, Gary Sheffield, Carney Lansford, Jason Bay, and Boog Powell. Former NFL quarterback Brian Sipe also played at Williamsport.
The Pearland White 12 year-old All-Star team swept through their group play with a perfect 3-0 mark after getting wins over Eagle Pass (7-5), Lincoln Pass, LA. (12-2), and Oceans Springs, MS. (13-2) sending them to the semifinals of the Little League Southwest Regional.
In the semifinal contest, Pearland ripped Grand Junction, Colorado 10-0 in five-innings sending them to the finals to face Eagle Pass - a team they beat 7-5 in pool play.
Knowing that it would probably be another close game. Pearland had been crushing the ball throughout the Southwest Regionals, averaging better than 10 runs a game, but Eagle Pass somehow limited Pearland to only four hits in the final.
But Pearland took full advantage of the one they hit producing three home runs.
With two runners on base in the top of the first inning Jorge Gutierrez blasted a three-run homer over the right field fence to put Pearland on top 3-0.
Eagle Pass answered with a solo shot in the bottom of the first to narrow the lead to 3-1.
In the top of the second, Beau Orlando hit a two-out solo blast over the left field fence for a 4-1 advantage.
In the top of the fifth, Pearland opened up a 5-1 lead when pinch hitter Chris Leger homered to left. Eagle Pass answered with a two-run homer in the bottom of the frame and that is as close as they would get as Pearland closed out the game with a 5-3 victory sending them to the field of dreams in Williamsport, PA.
"They've been doing this together since they were 5 or 6 years old," manager Mike Orlando said. "I'm just glad I get to keep coaching these guys."
Pearland left Tuesday for Williamsport and local fans can keep up with their progress by visiting: www.reporternewssports.com on a daily basis when the World Series begin.
Pearland will face Minnesota, winner of the Midwest Regional, in their first-round game at the Little League World Series on Friday, August 20 at 2:00 p.m.