RETURNING CHAMPS

Crowds turn out to welcome home Poland Junior softball team

By DAN HINER

sports @vindy.com

POLAND

Family and friends of the Poland Junior Little League softball team gathered at Bruno’s late Sunday to greet the team after its 7-1 win over Washington Saturday in the Junior League World Series championship game in Kirkland, Wash.

The team returned Sunday night after flying to Pittsburgh.

Fans held signs, banners and candles as they waited in the parking lot of Poland High School.

Family and friends welcomed the team with cheers of “OH-IO” and applause as they exited their vehicles.

Poland shortstop/catcher Abby Farber said it was “amazing” how the town wanted to meet the team and support them during their trip to the tournament and following the title.

“It’s pretty cool knowing that a small town like Poland, we went all the way and won it all and all these people want to come see us,” Farber said. “All of our friends came to support us and they wanted to see us right away, as soon as we get home.

“They didn’t even think about it. They obviously wanted to come.”

Fans met around 11 p.m. and held a welcome back party. The team was later escorted by the Poland Police Department to Poland High School early Monday.

Their flight was delayed in Chicago after the plane was held on the runway after a wing collided with a vehicle prior to take-off.

“It’s such a close-knit community, Poland, and the fact that all these fans and people came out on a Sunday night — you know they got to get up in the morning — and show up the support for these girls it means a lot to us,” Poland head coach Matt Bobbey said.

“All these people make it happen because we have a community that supports one another and whatever sport it is, we have champions in every sport,” Bobbey said. “Our community rallies around each other in times like this.

“It’s just great to see.”

Janeen Lattanzio, a wife of assistant coach Andrew Lattanzio and a mother of catcher Camryn Lattanzio, said the championship was important for the players and parents because of the closeness of the team.

“A lot of these girls have played together since they were 9 and 10. To see all that hard work come to fruition, to win the biggest game out there, was just great,” Mrs. Lattanzio said. “Honestly, they play as a team 100 percent. They are friends, they love each other and they are so selfless when it comes to playing on the field.

“That’s the best thing about it.”

Gina Harper, Brooke Bobbey’s aunt, traveled to Washington to see the team win the title. She said the team “played as a family” and the girls gave all they had throughout the season.

“They love the game,” Harper said. “With them being in love with the game, this made the outcome even more awesome.”