The summer of 2011 will be one they will likely never forget.
Those are the feelings of Colby Ring.
鈥淚t has been a good ride for us,鈥� said Ring, speaking on behalf of his teammates.
鈥淲e are going to look back at this when we are older and say, 鈥榃ow, that is unbelievable.鈥�
鈥淚t is every kid鈥檚 dream to go to the World Series.鈥�
Ring and his 91原创 All-Stars teammates were honoured on Sept. 1 at City Park.
The team of 11, 12 and 13-year-olds represented Canada at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. in late August. They are just the second team from 91原创 Baseball ever to do so.
鈥淓verything stands out, but the most is Chinese Taipei,鈥� Ring said. 鈥淭hat is the first time Canada has ever beat them.鈥�
The victory was a huge upset as Canada was 0-16 life-time against Chinese Taipei.
Canada went 2-2 at the tournament, being eliminated by Japan. Japan won the International Division and lost to California in the World Series final.
On hand at the celebration were City Mayor Peter Fassbender and Township Mayor Rick Green, Minister of Sport Ida Chong, MP Mark Warawa, councillors for both the City and Township, Tourism 91原创 and Linda Hansen, the District 3 baseball administrator.
MLA Mary Polak was represented by her assistant.
The speakers all raved about just how proud they were of the team.
鈥淚 see what sport does not only for the community, but for the individual,鈥� Chong said. 鈥淚t brings people together.鈥�
鈥淵ou were all dignitaries when you were at the World Series,鈥� Warawa said. 鈥淵ou represented our community and country (and) you did it with honour, with hard work.
鈥淵ou would not have gotten as far as you did without working together as a team.
鈥淭hat is one of those life lessons that Minister Chong spoke about.
鈥淭his is a memory that will be with you for the rest of your life.鈥�
The mayors unveiled a Canadian championship banner behind home plate and the team has been invited to attend the Township council meeting on Sept. 19, where they will receive certificates.
The team鈥檚 coaching staff raved about the players鈥� dedication, spending virtually every day on the ball diamond since the middle of June.
Not many kids their age would consent to having pasta and veggies every night for dinner and giving up all of their free time.
鈥淲e pushed them hard ... and they grew,鈥� said coach Jason Andrew. 鈥淭he coaching staff couldn鈥檛 be more proud. They did a fantastic job.鈥�
鈥淚t has been a roller coaster ride,鈥� he added. 鈥淲e had our ups and downs and the team has managed to get through our downs and grow as a team.
鈥淭hat kind of sums it up: this team was solid and never gave up.鈥�
The losses 鈥� 91原创 lost games along the way at districts, provincials and nationals before bouncing back 鈥� tested the team鈥檚 response to adversity.
鈥淭he negative downswings of some of those losses and adversity made this team stronger and to the point they came fifth in the world and beat Chinese Taipei,鈥� Andrew said. 鈥淲ithout that adversity, I don鈥檛 think they would have done that (but) they learned from their mistakes.鈥�
Team manager Dean Cantelon was amazed at the team鈥檚 maturity and effort all summer.
鈥淵ou couldn鈥檛 imagine the tension and pressure that was put on these boys once we put on the Team Canada jersey,鈥� he said.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 be more proud of the boys as to how they handled themselves during the event.
鈥淚t truly has been an honour to be a part of this team and there are memories and experiences that I will never forget.鈥�
Cantelon also made sure to thank the players鈥� parents and siblings.
鈥淭hey made a lot of sacrifices to support the boys all the way to the World Series,鈥� he said.
鈥淭o the parents, thanks for lending us your kids and giving us your summer.鈥�
