Pearland ready for the 75th Little League World Series
WILLIAMSPORT, PA (KTRK) -- Pearland has plenty of time on its hands waiting to play their first game of the 75th Little League World Series, but it gives the boys a chance to size up the competition.
There are 8 U.S. teams playing in the tournament including Pearland. All of them except Pearland and Rhode Island will play one game before Pearland hits the field, so the boys and coaches can spend some time watching players who they may have to face.
For now Pearland has to be content with practicing. The team takes the field Friday night, a full week after they got to Willaimsport. When they aren't tuning up their hitting and catching skills Pearland's all stars are checking out the other teams.
"Just looking at teams seeing if they are big or small, but then you also realize that this isn't football, size don't matter all that matters is the luck of the draw and your skills," third baseman McKane Groover said.
Pearland's first opponent is a team from Rhode Island, and the Texas kids are definitely keeping an eye on the boys representing New England.
"We have seen them hit and field and stuff like that and we are going to have some competition but nothing we are too worried about," right fielder Cole Smajstrla said.
For most parents, the opening ceremony was the first chance to see the other teams. But Pearland coaches, players have been living alongside those other teams for days and can't help but to compare themselves to the rest of the world.
"There are a couple of teams you look at and see the size of the kids and athleticism; and it appears they have some athleticism and you kind of keep in the back of your mind, who you think you are looking at," coach Don Smith said.
But the team also has its fair share of athleticism. Two of the Pearland boys and one coach were part of the 2010 team that made it to the US championship. All of these boys have been playing baseball since they were 5 years old.
A special honor also was given to one Pearland player at Thursday's opening ceremony. Christian Terranova read the Little League Pledge.
The boys' first game is Friday night at 7pm. They'll be wearing green and gold, representing the Southwest US, and dozens of Pearland parents and siblings will be there throughout the tournament.
