As the famous Little League World Series gets underway today in Williamsport, Pa., a North Vancouver team is celebrating a strong multi-year run while also dreaming about what could have been.
A group from Lynn Valley Little League set their sights on a trip to Williamsport two years ago when they claimed the provincial title in the 9/10 age group. Fast forward two years to this season that same group was competing at the 11/12 All Star level, an age group that comes with the additional goal of a trip to the World Series for the team that wins the national championship.
This summer the Lynn Valley team topped Highlands Little League 2-0 in the District 5 regional tournament final and then went on a strong run through the provincial championships hosted by North Vancouver’s Mount Seymour Little League at Myrtle Park in July. Lynn Valley earned a berth in the provincial final where they faced a familiar foe, the Little Mountain team that Lynn Valley beat in the 9/10 provincial final two years ago. This year Little Mountain was also the defending national champion, having made the trip to Williamsport last year.
In an intense battle waged with spectators surrounding the Myrtle Park diamond, Little Mountain topped Lynn Valley 4-2, earning a trip back to nationals and ending the run for the North Vancouver team.
Little Mountain then went on to make the final of last week’s national championships but fell just short of earning a return trip to Williamsport, losing 4-3 to host North Regina Little League in the championship game.
The talented Lynn Valley team didn’t get the storybook Little League ending they were hoping for, but they left with provincial silver medals and lasting memories from their seasons together, said head coach Chris Randall, who led the team along with assistant coaches James Lawson, Jason Lyons and Danny Einhorn.
“This was truly an elite baseball team who loved each other and made it fun to come to the ballpark everyday,” said Randall. “They have won a provincial championship and two district championships together as a group. Lynn Valley is a special community and one that was significantly smaller in terms of player registration than the teams we were competing with in the provincial tournament. Yet this team bonded and was willing to invest the time and hard work required to become great, and in the process built a lifelong bond with each other and a great love for the game of baseball.”
