Dream comes true for West team and fans
By SHAWNA T. TURNER sturner@sungazette.comArticle Photos
South Williamsport welcomed more than 32,000 Little League fans for the 63rd Little League Baseball World Series championship game, which featured West champ Chula Vista, Calif., and Asia-Pacific champ Taoyuan, Taiwan.
The Californian cheering section came to the game hoping to welcome a world championship to the team's long list of accomplishments. It did just that, with a 6-3 victory.
Jim Conlin said he was so proud of his son, Nick, who played on the winning team.
"About four years ago, we had a dream that if we kept these kids together, we might get to the World Series. Not only did we get here, we won it," Conlin said.
"We didn't expect yesterday's win to be what it was. They want to win. But win or lose, they are still all winners," said Martha Armenta, whose son, Isiah, also played on the team.
The West cheering section was heard chanting "U-S-A" between innings.
According to Rod Roberto, Park View Little League president and father of player Bradley Roberto, the boys have been together since T-ball and are enjoying the ride.
"The hard work they have done for the last three-and-a-half years is showing. As parents, we have seen all of their work pay off and, now, everyone will, too," Roberto said.
According to Conlin, Roberto was the man with the vision who got the boys to the Series.
"To say we are excited isn't even the word. If we would have been pinching ourselves, we'd be all black and blue. We really can't fathom this," Armenta said.
She walked away with memories to last a lifetime as her son, a Chula Vista pitcher, was featured on a Sun-Gazette championship commemorative poster. She also got Vice President Joe Biden's autograph on the page, adding to its sentimental value.







