Getting to Series is new ground for Nevada
Trending
Ryan Gifford experienced history when he played on the first Henderson Little League all-star team 36 years ago.
He thought his Little League World Series dream died when Henderson, Nevada lost during District 2 play that year. Little did he know then, that someday his son and his 11 friends would keep that dream alive.
And now Gifford is part of history again. So are his players.
Henderson is playing at the Little League World Series for the first time. Dream has become reality and Henderson has carved out a unique place in state history as well, becoming just the second Nevada team to reach South Williamsport.
"They'll never forget playing in the Little League World Series. It's something they'll always have," Henderson Little League president Jason Caldwell said. "There are only 20 teams left in the world and they're one of them. That's unbelievable. They're the only team left standing from the state and the Mountain region, and that's something they'll always be linked to."
"Most of us coaches played as a kid and dreamed about it as a kid and then to finally be here and be able to coach my son and enjoy the whole thing with him and all our players is just so much fun. It's really surreal," Henderson manager Ryan Gifford said. "I hope they remember this forever."
How can they not? Henderson has etched its name in both league and Nevada history, joining the 2014 Mountain Ridge team as the only ones to reach the Series. It's been a remarkable run for this team and a league which had never before produced a Little League state champion.
Initially, that was the goal entering this season. Henderson wanted to end the state title drought and, after edging perennial power and 2022 Mountain Region runner-up Paseo Verde in the district final, it really took off. Henderson romped to that elusive state crown and kept going from there, routing three opponents at regionals by a 22-5 margin while earning a spot in the Series opener last Wednesday against Rhode Island.
"This is a special group," Gifford said. "These young boys have put in so much work over the last several years and that's why we're here. They love the game and work hard and it shows when they're out there playing."
They sure have. While most players also compete in different sports, they still often play for at least 10 months a year. In addition to playing Little League and travel baseball, these current players always competed a higher age level until this season.
Most played in the 9-11 division when they were 10, and several played on last year's major team. That strong competition not only made those players better, but also prepared them well for what was coming this season. Now they are competing against teams of the same age and everything has come together with every player doing his part to fuel this memorable ride.
"Knowing that they've always played up and done well in these big tournaments, we knew when it's their year when they are 12, they should do well and they certainly have," Gifford said. "When we assembled this team at the end of May, that's when we talked about states and when we watched them play, we knew we had something special."
"These guys all have put in a lot of work over the last two months, practicing and then some are working with other coaches on the side," Caldwell said. "Everybody, top to bottom, has contributed at some point and it's just a solid group of kids."
Coach Arlie Daniel, whose son also plays on the team, put a team together featuring most of the current players five years ago. It was then, that he and Gifford realized something big might be brewing. The players were not only talented, but driven and have continued maximizing their ability each season since.
Henderson has received production from all parts of its continuous lineup, the pitching is deep and the fielding has been outstanding. Combine that with work, experience and chemistry and Henderson has established itself as the best team in league history.
Doing so has made them stars back home as it continues attracting more fans with each victory. The players might not sense how big a deal this is yet because they have not been home since leaving for regionals, but it will hit them soon and then they will realize the impact they have made throughout Henderson and Nevada.
"I've been in the car for three hours and my phone hasn't stopped ringing," Caldwell said the day Henderson blanked Utah and captured the Mountain Region championship. "(Nearby) Las Vegas is a big city but it and Henderson have really embraced them and everyone has come together."
And however this run ends, Henderson already has done more than win just a lot of championships. These all-stars also have strengthened their league and brightened its future. Caldwell said fall ball sign-ups have exploded since Henderson's regional championship win and the league could field its largest enrollment yet next spring.
They might only be 12, but these Henderson Little Leaguers have become heroes. The younger, aspiring players want to emulate them and the older population value their determination and achievements.
Henderson has given its town the permission to dream big. This team has proven that dreams do indeed come true.
"Most 12-year-olds dream of this and never get here. We're one of 10 teams in the U.S and one of 20 in the world that actually got to this point," Gifford said. "We told them to take it in, enjoy it and cherish every aspect of it because it truly is amazing."