Park View Little League players sign autographs for family and friends. Photo by Tayler Costello.
The tradition of South Bay’s excellence continues with yet another team going to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. This summer, Park View returned to the LLWS for the second year in a row. Since 2009, the South Bay has seen four little league teams go to Williamsport in the quest for a championship. All of the teams are winners, but out of the four teams, one has come back as LLWS Champions, the Park View Little League team of 2009. They were one of the eight teams in to advance to the LLWS. Iowa representing the Midwest and Tennessee representing the Southeast regions gave Park View their two losses that sent them home after the first round.
On Sept. 1 the community welcomed them back home to Chula Vista.
Team Manager Jorge Camarillo said the players deserve all the praise.
“The kids did a great job,” he said “They all made us so proud and it feels tremendous.”
The team made it a season to remember for PVLL President Johnny Fuentes.
“I am very grateful for everything they have done, it is my first year of being the president and what a gift,” said Fuentes.
Having a local team go to the Little League World Series in back to back years can bring together a community. Watch parties were found throughout the South Bay and allowed fans to come gather and support the team. Fuentes said he loved the support he saw from the city.
“I saw videos of the parties at Buffalo Wild Wings and other restaurants. It was nice to know we have support from the city of Chula Vista,” he said.
Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas said she enjoyed watching the boys on TV and hopes they feel the love of the community.
“It does take a village, it takes a good city that they live in. I hope we provide them with good parks,” she said.
Current Park View coaches said prior success of other teams in the community showed them that they have the potential.
“Winning feels far away but it is possible. Keep believing and we have shown that it is possible,” said Camarillo.
Fuentes said he would never forget the view of the field and the exhilaration of the team.
“It was amazing driving and flying out to Williamsport and seeing that venue and the excitement the boys brought to all of us in the city,” he said.
Williamsport is 2612.6 miles from Chula Vista.
Pitching was a number one priority on all the teams that made it to the LLWS from the South Bay.
Camarillo said they came into the season with defense on their minds.
“We based our team around making sure we had enough pitching and good defense,” he said.
When the Park View Little League team arrived to Williamsport the nerves kicked in with all the media.
“It is unbelievable because we have never seen so many people watch us,” Outfielder Adriel Colmenero said.
Over the past three years the rating for the LLWS has increased and reached five million viewers.
Playing on a field the boys had always dreamed of and in front of a national audience brought on a different aspect of coaching for the coaching staff.
“We just reminded them regardless of how much media was there at the end of the day it was still a game,” said Camarillo.
During their time in Williamsport the boys said they enjoyed free time and meeting players from around the world. Although the journey did not end the way they hoped, the experience will last a lifetime.
Devin Hinojosa, who played outfield in the game against Tennessee, said the experience was memorable.
“It feels cool and it is like we are stars everywhere,” he said.
