It’s More Than The Game

Mike Sciacca, Independent

They have traded pins with their fellow competitors, shared

camaraderie at an opening day barbecue, were bunk mates and became good

friends with their rivals from Montana, created a makeshift ping pong

court, and, overall, seemed a bit blown away by all the media attention.

They even escaped the madness for one brief moment, last Friday.

Sometimes, during the course of the regular season, on their home

field in Huntington Beach, these same players displayed their talents

before half-empty stands. But here, in the sweltering heat of the Inland

Empire, they have played in front of crowds exceeding 9,000, andtonight,

will do so before a national television audience, courtesy of ESPN 2.

Yes, the Ocean View Majors Division All-Star team has been enjoying

every moment of its stay at the 2000 Little League Baseball Western

Regional tournament in San Bernardino. Some of the players appear to be

keeping journals of their experience here, proof, for later in life that

indeed, they once were fortunate to be in the midst of an experience that

at times has taken on a carnival-like atmosphere.

Yet, for all the fun and frivolity, there is a business-like manner in

which the Ocean View camp has conducted itself.

“We want the kids to get the most out of this experience, but we need

to stay focused and keep the ultimate goal in mind, and that is to reach

Williamsport,” Ocean View Manager Yun Conger said. “That’s why we brought

them home last Friday, to regroup and get back into a baseball

mentality.”

Conger has had his troops ready for each of its first three tournament

games, but how does an 11- or 12-year-old, temper his excitement for his

surroundings, with the business at hand?

“It’s hard, but we can do it,” Hank Conger, the manager’s son, said.

“Our coaches tell us not to focus on the fans in the stands, or all the

cameras. I just try to focus on the pitcher and catcher when I’m at bat.

That’s all that matters, to me.”

Scott Melchert, a backup catcher and the lone 11-year-old on the Ocean

View All-Star team, says the team’s ready for tonight’s title game

showdown with Hazel Dell of Washington.

“All we need to do is continue to play the way we have been, and we’ll

be all right,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to be playing for the

championship.”

Starting second baseman Jeff Van Doornum, who scored twice during

Tuesday’s 3-0 semifinal victory over Canyon Del Oro, summed it up best.

“There are thousands of kids out there dying for the chance to play in

Williamsport, and we’re right there, playing one more game to get there,”

he said. “If we play error-free, hit the ball, and stay focused, then we

can win this. This whole thing (tournament) has been a great experience

for me, and the rest of this team.”

Spoken like a true champion.