Teams don't advance, but they are winners

The teams from Brownsburg, Indiana and Boise, Idaho knew they were eliminated going into their game on Wednesday night, yet they played their hearts out anyway.

In a game that featured two 0-2 teams, fans were reminded that this game of baseball is played for fun. No matter what the outcome of the game, both teams were happy just to be in Williamsport.

"This was great, innocent, pure baseball," said manager Gary King of the Central. "I am thankful I got to experience this."

Before the Central team left the field, they huddled up outside the dugout and King had some few, choice words for his boys: "I told them that we made it to the big show. And I told them to look around and take it all in.

The West did win the game 2-0 via a two-run third. Seth Anderson got a one-out single and Bryan Champ followed with a base-hit of his own. Anderson scored on Austin Jones' groundout. Champ then scored on a wild pitch.

Champ was also the winning pitcher. He threw six innings of scoreless baseball while allowing only four hits. He started the game by striking out the first five batters. "My fastball was on today and my curveball was working when I needed it to," he said. "I knew I was on after the first inning."

The West finished 1-2 in U.S. pool-play. West Coach Stan McGrady admitted his team didn't expect to make it to the World Series. "Our goal was to make it to the regionals," he said. "When we came back from a three-run deficit to win in the first game of the regionals, we knew we could win the tournament. Yes, it was a surprise to make it here, but it is just a magnificent feeling. It has been one of the best experiences of my life."

"This week has been a lot of fun," added Austin Nickol from the Central. "I took some dirt from the infield so I would have something to remember."

--Mark Rogoff
   Special Correspondent