Can you imagine an average size 13-year old pitching to this kid? Maybe it's comparable to what most pitchers feel like pitching to Albert Pujols. Don't forget that Little Leaguers still use aluminum bats so if he even makes light contact the ball will explode like The Challenger.
What do Gary Sheffield, Jason Marquis, and Jason Varitek all have in common? If you guessed that they are Major League Baseball players, I could pat you on your back and tell you congrats. However, they are also the only three current Major Leaguers that have played in a World Series and a Little League World Series. I don't know a whole lot about the fundamentals of a baseball swing, but I think this kid Luke Ramirez could be a force to be reckoned with in the future. Am I jumping the gun a little prematurely? Possibly but it's obvious he can hit.
As I was watching the U.S. LLWS final tonight between Chula Vista and San Antonio, it was hard to maintain any interest since it was a blowout after the first inning. Try rebounding from giving up 9 runs in the bottom of the first inning both mentally and emotionally as 13-year olds playing in the biggest baseball game of your life. They appeared shocked, stunned, Brett Favred. Yes, I created a new verb. Brett Favred. Part of speech: verb. Definition: The inability to function after enduring an event so traumatic that it resembles the news of Brett Favre announcing another unretirement and the ensuing reaction. Synonyms (in present tense): shock, surprise, flabbergast, jolt, nauseate, offend, overwhelm, paralyze, traumatize, startle, etc. Need I say more? Ok, I get it your tired of the Brett Favre references. I apologize.
Needless to say, the kids from Chula Vista knocked the life out of the Texas team in just one inning of baseball. They hit 4 home runs including one grand slam and set a new Little League World Series record for most home runs with 18. They also had 7 in a game earlier in the LLWS against a Kentucky team. Luke Ramirez has 4 of those home runs and his teammate Andy Rios has 5.
Although the kids from Texas were basically done after the first inning, I saw fight, determination, and yet a desire to still win and have fun. Unfortunately the game of baseball is overshadowed by the glitz and glamour of the MLB. Oh, I almost forgot about the steroids! But that's not really a problem anymore right? Yeahhh, right.
The LLWS gives a platform for these kids to shine, while playing a game they love--baseball. There is no money, no steroid scandals, and best of all no whispers behind closed doors about who else could be juicin'. These kids remind us what's best about the game of baseball--amazing defense, home runs, incredible pitching, but most of all a desire to win, while having FUN.
Take note Manny Ramirez.
Until tomorrow...Adios Amigos.
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