Tuesday, August 27, 2002
Little League world champs attract national attention
By DYLAN T. LOVAN
Associated Press Writer
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — They won over fans across the country, but on Monday the Little League World Series champs from Kentucky returned to the town that loves them most.
The 12 teammates from Valley Sports American shuffled off their chartered flight like rock stars — looking worn and a little stunned from their sudden fame.
“I'm used to the cameras by now,” 12-year-old Aaron Alvey said just minutes after he stepped off the plane at Louisville International Airport. “We haven't really got that much rest. We had to wake up at five o'clock this morning to do interviews.”
Oh, the life of a celebrity.
Alvey's first-inning home run and masterful work on the mound helped Valley Sports beat Sendai, Japan 1-0 on Sunday and claim the world championship.
The win stirred Louisville and much of Kentucky into a Little League baseball frenzy.
From the airport, the team was whisked by bus to nearby Cardinal Stadium, where about 10,000 fans — and hundreds of screaming pre-teen girls — awaited them in the rain.
“Valley Sports, You Rock,” one sign read, as a group of girls chanted, “Zach (Osborne) is a hottie!”
They ambled off the bus — wearing the yellow and green team hats and navy blue jackets — one by one to the pitcher's mound, and stood in a line to greet the fans.
“I didn't expect this many because it's raining and I didn't think they cared, but it turns out they do care,” Alvey said at the stadium.
Alvey gave Osborne a hug and told the fans that Osborne, the team's shortstop, “played defense like I ain't ever seen anybody play it before.”
Ethan Henry, who hit a two-run homer in the U.S. Championship game against Worcester, Mass., on Saturday, was asked about his favorite World Series moment.
“My home run,” Henry said.
It's the closest thing to boasting any member of this team — known for its extraordinary discipline and sportsmanship — has done since the tournament began two weeks ago.
Louisville anxiously awaited their return on Monday. Mayor David Armstrong greeted the players as they stepped of the plane, presenting them with a copy of a green and yellow highway sign that will stand at the city's entrances. Earlier, as the plane taxied down the runway, two fire trucks sprayed their water cannons high into the air, creating an arch that the rolling aircraft travelled under.
All this after countless interviews, and appearances on ABC's “Good Morning America” and NBC's “Today” show Monday morning.
Armstrong said a motorcade, including team members, their parents and elected city, county and state officials, will be held next Monday. The route will begin at the team's playing field near Dixie Highway and will end at downtown's Slugger Field, home of the Triple-A Louisville Bats.
Alvey, who has the build of a football player, looked tired as he adjusted his cap and listened Monday night as a herd of reporters swarmed around him.
He smiled, shuffled his feet, and said, “I think I'm ready to go back to school now.”
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Little League world champs attract national attention
