By James Lomuscio
For Westport fans, winning hasn’t been everything. It’s been the only thing—until tonight.
Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff (l) and Avi Kaner, chairman of the Board of Finance and Republican selectman candidate, were among those at the Black Duck tonight cheering on Westport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com
This was the night of the full moon, the night that the undefeated Westport Little League all stars, the New England team, lost the third Little League World Series game 6 to 3 to Chula Vista, Calif. after a nail biter that went into three extra innings.
The game ended with three outs for Westport in the bottom of the ninth. And with the last out, the hundreds who had gathered at the Black Duck left sobered by their home team’s first defeat.
It was a game that most had hoped would be sewn up at the top of the sixth with a 3 to 2 lead. But a homer followed by errant pitches that loaded the bases in what was to be the final inning gave Chula Vista a three-run lead from which Westport never recovered.
“It’s not over; we still have another chance at bat,” said Judith Freedman, a former state senator, as Westport was up at the bottom of the ninth.
But others acknowledged that four runs in final turn at bat was wishful thinking.
Tonight’s loss, however, is not the end.
“It’s double elimination, so even if they lose, we’re still not out (of the series),” said Mike Lutz, doorman at the Black Duck.
Seated at one of the Black Duck’s tables, his eyes riveted to the TV screen, First Selectman Gordon Joseloff noted that he had scheduled a parade for Westport’s Little League all stars on Monday along with the girls softball team which won the state championship.
“Even if they lose, they still deserve a parade,” said Joseloff, wearing a New England champions t-shift gifted to him by Westport Little League, as the game headed into the ninth inning. “They are already heroes as far as Westport is concerned.”
He pointed out that the home team, which had defeated the Sammamish, Wash. on Sunday, would face them again on Thursday. If they win that game, double elimination would give Westport another shot at trying to best Chula Vista on Saturday. And if all goes well, Westport will play in the final World Series game Sunday.
One of Westport’s biggest challenges, literally and figuratively, in the early innings was Chula Vista’s pitcher, Grant Holman, a 6-foot, 4-inch powerhouse. His huge presence plus more than 90 mph fast balls at 30-degree angles toward the shorter 12-year-old players seemed to intimidate batters who racked up strikes for not swinging.
“Someone told me he hasn’t given up a hit yet,” said Jim Curran.
“The last game he played he had a seven inning no hitter,” said Buck Iannocone.
Joseloff noted that despite Holman’s reputation, “Nobody’s infallible, especially when you’re 12.”
And that realization seemed apparent to Westport fans as they left the Black Duck. They finally saw their team lose.
Still, typical of ardent fans, many said the loss was only a trial that would make the Little Leaguers play harder in the week’s remaining games.
The story of the Little League Baseball Team is not about polticians and/or elected officials. It’s about an incredible number of great and regular kids from Westport…their parents and coaches who have devoted much of their time, resources and support to helping this team achieve this amazing goal. Let’s stay focused on making our team the #1 focus of these stories moving forward. We should be championing their amazing spirit and sportsmanship. Let’s cheer on our Team and let’s continue to congratulate them for ALL that they have achieved and the immense pride that ALL of us in Westport should have for what they have accomplished.
Outstanding comment, Al.
Way to Go Al!!!!
By the way—had to be at a dinner in Las Vegas last night and got someone with the right service to get the game on their smartphone. We all sat around the restaurant table and watched. Everyone (even though they were not from Westport) cheered for our town. So proud of the players. Too bad someone had to lose—what a game.