Little League World Series (LLWS)

The regionals are taking place this weekend.  This is the last cut before teams move on to the LLWS in Willamsport, PA.  It's tough, emotional, heartbreaking, joyous sports at it's finest.  The kids are giving their all and the parents (at least the ones the TV is showing) are cheering in a healthy and supportive manner.  The managers and coaches are uniformly smart, caring and compassionate.  There are a lot of stories that will tug at your heartstrings but at the end of the day the best team moves on.

So the best of the best will move on to Williamsport next week for what will be for most the indelible and incredible memory of their lives.  Most will take this with them throughout life.  These kids will work their butts off to win.  And at the end they will congratulate their opponents.  It is quite simply sports at its finest.

So for the next week, check your TV listings closely and if you find a game being televised (and it doesn't matter one bit where the teams are from) stop and watch it.  Turn off the news.  Turn off the stupid reality shows.  Turn off Love Island and The Bachelor.  Watch the LLWS.  For many it will bring back memories of summer afternoons on the ball field.  For many it will bring back the innocence of youth.  And it shows a level of sportsmanship that is rarely seen today.  Cherish it.  It doesn't happen that often.