Teams learn to underestimate Rhode Island at own peril
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Smithfield, Rhode Island lost its opening Metro Regional game, 10-1. Following that defeat, many dismissed Smithfield as a serious title contender.
Manager Eric Gibree reminded his players of that after Smithfield thundered back, defeated New Jersey and earned a spot in the Metro final against the same New York team which had defeated it six days earlier. "They found out what happens when you put a pit bull in a corner," Gibree told his team while wearing a microphone so a nationwide viewing audience could listen to his postgame speech.
Those dogs continued biting in the rematch and thumped New York, 7-1, while earning the league's first Little League World Series berth. So, while they play like hungry dogs, these Smithfield players especially love being underdogs.
Teams throughout the summer learned that they underestimate these tough underdogs at their own peril.
"They realize how small the group is, especially compared to some of the teams we've been playing, but I don't think it fazes them," Smithfield manager Eric Gibree said. "They trust their talent pretty well, so when they walk out there on the field, it's not a concern."
Sports are an equalizer and only what happens between the lines matters. Smithfield players have embraced that that while excelling in multiple sports with six also helping the local basketball team win three straight state championships. They are competitors who never shy away from a battle, no matter how strong the opponent or how big its town.
Geographically, Rhode Island is the country's smallest state and every state at the Metro Tournament had at least 1.7 million more residents. In consecutive elimination games it faced New Jersey with a nearly 8-million population advantage before knocking off New York which had a 7-million advantage.
"Rhode Island, due to it's small size, is often overlooked and underestimated by many," Smithfield lifetime board member and former president Charlie Kando said. "Rhode Island used to be in the New England regional, but was recently taken out, along with Connecticut, to join New York and New Jersey in the newly created Metro region. This certainly makes us the smallest fish in the pond in terms of size and population."
As Kando pointed out, however, Rhode Island teams often have been strong at the regional level and Cranston Western captured the 1996 national championship. Cumberland and Lincoln have combined for four Series appearances since 2001 as well.
Those are two of the teams Smithfield must go through each year in District 4. So, the past success those leagues have achieved often can lead to Smithfield being overlooked as well. The fact Smithfield had not won a state championship since 1967 as well led to that perception.
This Smithfield team did not care about the past. The core of this group won states at the minor division and reached states last season. These players have excelled together, worked together and brought the best in each other the past three years and remained confident they could do the same this season.
"Walking into this year we were very confident that we would get to and through states," Gibree said. "Williamsport was the goal from Day 1 this year and with the strength of our arms, we all felt that we could make a pretty serious run."
Smithfield has certainly done that. Hidden beneath all the wins is a remarkable aspect of this team's fantastic summer-long run. There were only 17 12-year-olds in the league this season, meaning 71% of the league's 12-year-olds have reached the Series.
The league also has just 270 players from all age groups, so this small team and league is showing that it can certainly achieve some huge things. And Smithfield has proven that perception is not reality because these underdogs have embraced their roles and loved proving the doubters wrong. Along the way, Smithfield has showed off not just its talent, but also its resilience, winning seven consecutive elimination games at states and regionals; avenging its defeats both times.
The wins and the way these players compete it has earned this team an army of loyal supporters. Smithfield has felt that love through messages and videos but will likely truly comprehend how powerful it is when it returns home. In that sense, the journey will continue because this team will be treated as heroes there for quite a long time.
"This team's run making it to Williamsport has really excited the entire town of Smithfield, not to mention the state of Rhode Island as a whole," Kando said. "No other Smithfield team has made it to this level before, and there have been many disappointments in the past. To finally make it has really energized the whole community. We are getting well wishes from people, organizations, and businesses all over the state."
Smithfield fever has spread throughout Rhode Island and a team which refuses to let others define it has carved out quite a legacy. It has made history and given future Smithfield players reason to believe. Yes indeed, these dogs pack a powerful bite.
"I think it's actually an advantage to be the underdog. Some teams may be looking past us and not totally focused on beating us," Kando said. "Since this team has had to battle out of the losers' bracket at the state and regional level, we know how to battle back and to overcome adversity.
"This David knows how to beat Goliath."