What an amazing time of year to live in our little corner of God’s green earth.

First up, if you are in town for the 78th playing of the Little League World Series, let me welcome you. I wish you and your team, as you spent this summer on this fantastic journey, good luck, great health, and safe travels. For those of you who have just come as fans of baseball, you’re about to witness The Greatest Show on Earth when it comes to youth sports.

Although everybody wants to make it here first as a player, then as a parent, possibly a coach, or just a proud member of a hometown Little League, the good news for you is you don’t have all that stress of wanting to win that final game.

My advice to those who are here cheering on one of these 20 teams that have won their way here, as hard as it is to do, is to sit back, relax, and consider this a celebration for all the hard work the kids put in. Please don’t take me the wrong way, I always want to win that last game, but you’ve got to keep things in perspective and realize you’ve already won the golden ticket to the Little League capital of the world.

We are very friendly folks around these parts, so please, if you need anything, don’t be afraid to ask. I have spent my whole life in the friendly confines of the West Branch Valley, and I look forward to talking baseball and answering any questions possible for Little League folks. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll point you in the right direction.

I am proud every year to say I played my Little League baseball right here in South Williamsport, for Kings Motel and the Little Mountaineer Little League. I was blessed with great teammates, great coaches, and an amazing Little League experience. My coaches, Bob English and Dick Whiteman, may now be coaching from above, but they’ll never be forgotten.

My All-Star dream back in the late seventies was to win my way from Kane Street, where my business is now located, up to the top of the hill and play at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. Back then, it was a much different tournament that featured only eight teams traveling that road to Williamsport. And did I mention that when you lost, the journey was over? There was no double elimination or even pool play. So, my All-Star run was a short one, but I still got to experience the dream of every Little Leaguer. I’m sure, as you’re reading this, most of you are thinking of your Little League baseball experience. Incidentally, my coaches also called Kane Street home back in the day.

I was then blessed to coach both my sons in Little League baseball. They were much better players than I ever was, and both enjoyed All-Star success. My oldest son, with me in the dugout, even made a run at a state title, unfortunately, with visions of Bristol dancing in our heads, it came to an end. But what an amazing summer it was.

That gets me to a couple more serious points that often get forgotten about when young athletes reach a high level of success. Please remember, whether it’s your kid playing or you’re just watching, they are just 11 and 12-year-old kids. The level they perform at is truly remarkable, and sometimes folks lose sight of that.

The next thing is about something that has become tougher and tougher in the world we now live in, being an umpire. Please remember the umpires you are watching are also experiencing this amazing journey to the LLWS. They have earned their way here, but are human beings just like you and me. Please show them the great respect they deserve, and that includes those umps back home at your local league. The world is in search of more umpires, officials, and referees. Please be part of the solution, not the problem. Maybe you would make a great umpire.

I’ll finish my thoughts about umpires up with a problem we have here in our area, unfortunately, none of them are getting any younger. For whatever reason, the generations behind them haven’t kept up with the demand for these special people. A sincere thank you to every umpire for doing your best at every level, from Little League right on up to the college teams that play here in our local area.
Moving right along, a tip of my 78th Little League World Series cap to Pat Wilson, another lifer from here in Williamsport. I have known Pat for a long time and he’s one of the good guys. Just in case you missed it, this will be his first World Series as Little League Baseball’s president and chief executive officer. Pat took the reins from Steve Keener, whom I’d like to give a shoutout to and thank again for his years of dedication to improving the game and organization.

I will wrap up this week with the Little League pledge and a final thought. I trust in God. I love my country. And will respect its laws. I will play fair and strive to win. But win or lose, I will always do my best.

Great and powerful words to teach kids and ask them to live by while they’re growing up. Just think how much better the world would be if the adults followed the same pledge.

There is much within the pages ahead about the LLWS and our area. Let’s be safe out there and enjoy.

God Bless America.