Everett, Wash.
Published: Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Mill Creek soaks it in at Little League World Series

Members of the local Little League team chat with ESPN, pick up some free gear and get to know other players on their first day in Williamsport, Pa.

By Tony Dondero
Special for The Herald

 In a few days, the Mill Creek All Stars will get down to business when pool play in the Little League World Series begins.

But now it's all about soaking up the atmosphere having some fun in Williamsport, Pa., home to the series since 1947.

"It's awesome," infielder Joakim Soderqvist said. "Everything's cool here. It's unbelievable. People here are so nice. They make you feel like you're a big leaguer. Pretty sweet."

The players and coaches took an early flight from Los Angeles after being picked up by a bus at the regional site in San Bernardino at 2:30 a.m. Monday morning. They flew to Newark, N.J. and then took another three-hour bus trip to Williamsport arriving at 10:30 p.m. local time.

"I pretty much slept through it because I was really tired," second baseman Dan Kingma said.

"It was long but it was worth it," catcher Alex Jondal added.

The players and coaches were roused at 7 a.m. Tuesday for breakfast and then hit the practice field for a couple hours.

Afterward, each player got to pick out new bats from Easton, Louisville Slugger and DeMarini as well as batting gloves, jerseys, helmets, catching gear and cleats -- all for free.

"Some people have been talking about using the new bats, some people have been saying they'll stick with the bats they're comfortable with," first baseman Alec Kisena said.

All the lodging, food and transportation for teams that make it to the Little League World Series is paid for by Little League International.

On Tuesday afternoon photographers took team and individual shots of the players. Then they were interviewed by a crew from ESPN, which will broadcast all of the games.

In the ESPN interviews the players were asked to name their favorite major leaguer, singer, movie and actor among other questions for clips that will be shown during the network's coverage.

Some of the Mill Creek players also met up with players from other teams in the recreation hall at the dormitory, Creighton Hale International Grove.

Jondal said he played several games of ping-pong against some players from Guam, the Asia Pacific champions.

"I beat 'em all three," he said.

Some of the players also exchanged lapel pins with players from other teams, one of the traditions at the Little League World Series.

The team will ride on a float in a parade in downtown Williamsport on Thursday evening and then participate in the opening ceremonies on Friday.

Mill Creek opens play at 5 p.m. PDT, Saturday against South Lake Charles Little League of Lake Charles, La., at Howard J. Lamade Stadium.

It's been a whirlwind for Northwest Region Manager of the Year Scott Mahlum and his team since they beat Murrayhill of Oregon 10-1 Aug. 9 in the Northwest Regional final to earn a berth in the series. Mahlum got drenched with water after the game and his cell phone stopped working. When service was restored he found about 50 phone messages, e-mails and text messages from well wishers on it.

"Just being here is a dream come true," pitcher and shortstop Jason Todd said.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA