MILL CREEK — Brett Green, 12, has watched the Little League World Series on television since his hometown team competed there in 2001.
This year, the Bainbridge Island boy is among the scores of young athletes hoping to be there.
At Freedom Field, 13 teams are competing in the 2008 Washington state 12-year-old All-Star Little League Tournament. It’s the first time the tournament has been played in Mill Creek.
The team that wins the 10-day state tournament will compete at a regional competition in California. The winning team there will move on to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
“It’s very exciting. It’s really terrific,” said Brett’s father, Jason Green, 54. “It’s taken over our lives for the summer, and that’s OK.”
Opening ceremonies are planned for 8:30 a.m. today with music from the Jackson High School band. The tournament’s traditional Parade of Champions, in which players from all teams take the field for a flag ceremony, is set for 9:30 a.m.
“It’s great; this is what it’s all about,” tournament director Tom Davis said. “I give my time, and all the volunteers give their time, to make this happen.”
Although the official opening ceremonies are today, the bats started swinging Friday night with a match-up between Bainbridge Island and West Seattle.
Excited parents and spectators packed the bleachers, and others set up lawn chairs along the first- and third-base lines. In the dugouts, players ignored the benches, instead standing up to cheer on their teammates.
The action picked up immediately.
With the bases loaded — two players were walked and another smacked a double to center — a Bainbridge Island player hit a ground-ball triple to right field, driving in three runs.
Facing an early deficit, West Seattle sent its relief pitcher, Owen Vickrey, into the game. The wiry 12-year-old with shoulder-length blond hair notched three quick outs.
“It’s thrilling; he’s very happy to be here,” Owen’s mother, Margaret Vickrey, said. “It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime things.”
Sam Brown and Cole Grant, both 14, watched the game from bleachers near third base. Not too long ago, they were playing in the state tournament for Mill Creek Little League.
“It was probably the best time,” said Sam, whose team won the state championship in Port Orchard when he was 10. “When I think of my early years, I think of playing baseball.”
Cole’s team finished second in the state tournament in Chehalis when he was 11. He remembers the fanfare around the game and the number of people who traveled to watch his team play.
“It’s a fun place to be,” Cole said. “A lot of exciting things happen here.”
Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.
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