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Safe at home, Little Leaguers get heroes’ welcome
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Fans cheer Poland’s 11- and 12-year-olds upon their return Thursday from the World Series in Portland, Ore.
By JON MOFFETT
Poland
It’s good to be home, especially when hundreds of screaming fans are your welcoming committee.
Fresh off a six-hour flight from Oregon to Youngstown and a berth in the Little League Softball World Series on the West Coast, the Poland team of 11- and 12-year-olds returned Thursday to a heroes’ welcome.
The team met at Inner Circle restaurant and had a police escort to Poland Seminary High School.
Waiting for the girls there were about 500 screaming fans and supporters.
“It’s amazing to have all of these people supporting us,” said shortstop Kathryn Wilson.
The girls won the Central Region championship before heading to the big show in Portland, Ore. There, the girls played teams from all over the country, including California and Georgia. Poland made it to the semifinals before losing 1-0 to the eventual champion, Warner Robins, Ga.
“It felt great to know that everybody had been watching us and supporting us the whole way through,” said pitcher Aleah Hughes. “It’s more fun knowing they’re here to support you.”
Win or lose, the girls said the experience will be something they’ll remember for years to come.
“It was a great experience, and we all had a lot of fun,” Aleah said. “It was fun to be there, have a great time with our friends and just play softball.”
Kathryn said she’ll remember the experience well beyond her 13th birthday, which was Tuesday.
“I’ll remember this for the rest of my life,” she said. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I’ll remember it forever.”
Head coach Chuck Masluk was hesitant to give an interview, as he wanted the girls to have the attention. But he did say he couldn’t have been more proud of them.
“This meant the world to them, it really did,” he said. “On the car ride over, they kept asking, ‘Is this all for us?’ They worked so hard, and for me, I’m just happy for them that the community would reach out to these girls like this.”
Standing off to the side and watching her daughter soak it all in was Aleah’s mother, Christy, who made the trip with her daughter.
“It’s pretty surreal,” she said, wiping several tears away. “I know they understand it’s unbelievable, but I don’t think it’s hit them yet.”