Lamar Little League fields look pretty big time.

So does its 12-year-old all-star baseball team.

These Lamar Little Leagers from Richmond, Texas, are the latest to enhance the program’s tradition. They are the third team from Lamar to reach the Series, joining the 2003-04 squads. The turf fields at Lamar stand out, but this team does even more and played its first Series game Wednesday against Metro champion Connecticut.

“It is amazing how fast the word spread of the Lamar Little League win. I, personally, believe some of the best things are that it highlights the Lamar Little League and it’s wonderful baseball program,” Richmond mayor Becky Haas said. “It also gives recognition to the Lamar Little League as a whole. It has a lasting, positive recognition on every single player, in all age groups, who participates in the Lamar Little League Program.”

Just because Lamar had not reached the Series since 2004 does not change that fact either. It simply highlights how incredibly hard it is to reach South Williamsport since Lamar has fielded strong teams season after season. That included last year when Lamar finished third at the Southwest Region, coming within two runs of reaching the championship. Lamar also was an out from returning to the Series in 2008, losing a heartbreaker against eventual U.S finalist Louisiana.

This team was the latest to chase the ultimate Little League dream and sensed it could do so after winning state championships at the 11-year-old and 10-year-old levels. Still, that hardly guaranteed success this year, but the Lamar Little Leaguers took their work and performances to an even higher level and conquered challenging district, section, state and regional fields to bring Lamar back to every Little Leaguer’s Field of Dreams.

“There is a ton of excitement and community support for Lamar Little League. We have around 1,000 kids in the league and any time you have good numbers and you keep people in the league and keep growing it, good things will happen,” Lamar Little league president and manager Justin Pollard said. “I’m just glad that 21-year drought is over. We sold the parents on the dream four years ago and every player and family bought in. For them to have a dream and a goal that long ago and make it come true is a great life lesson that they can carry with them throughout their lives.”

The Series is great, but at its core, that is what the Lamar Little League has so long been about. The Series banners mean a lot but what means the most is making positive impacts on players’ lives. That is what helps the league stay strong at a time when aspiring players can be pulled in so many different directions.

“Since I was old enough to play and getting into Little League, it’s been a great community that loves the game and teaches the game the right way and encourages kids to love the game and have fun,” said current Kansas City Royal outfielder Randal Grichuk, who played on both the 2003 and 2004 Lamar Series teams. “They all work hard and it’s just a talented area. They’ve come close and finally kicked the door down and it’s really exciting to see.”

Lamar has long opened doors for young players and helped mold them into athletes who can excel on and off the field. Regardless of success level or time of season, one often will find the league’s 10 fields, filled with fans throughout the Little League season.

It’s not just winning which produces that turnout. It’s how Lamar goes about building its league. It’s about the coaches being among the state’s best and about a board which works year-round to put the players in the best positions possible.

Add in players who passionately play the game at a high level and one has the ingredients for something remarkable which has happened this summer. So, while this has been a summer-long run for the Lamer all-stars, it really has been a journey years in the making, one which began even before they played their first Little League games.

“Richmond is fortunate to have a solid, strong baseball program for kids. The Lamar Little League board Members, coaches, parents and volunteers are amazing,” Haas said. “The players learn so much from these folks. The importance of teamwork and sportsmanship, how to keep their emotions in check, how to care for equipment and, most of all, how to respect each other.”

In that sense, this team playing at the Series is the perfect ambassador for Lamar Little League. Players have earned rave reviews as much for how they have handled themselves on the field, but also in the dorms, restaurants and while interacting with opponents from around the world.

That shines as much of a positive light on the league as the championship banners do. This team wins big but it stays humble like the champions which came before them.

“Two nights ago, before the championship, we went into to do a group check and they were in their reading Bible verses,” Pollard said. “It’s special watching them. They have a unique bond and the baseball side is extremely exciting, but we’re thrilled to see them carrying themselves the way they do, too.”

No doubt, what Lamar has done on the field will help the league continue growing. But the example it is setting is equally powerful. And now the world is getting to witness first-hand exactly what makes Lamar Little League so good.

“It shows the strength of what being involved can do,” Haas said. “Without the dedication and commitment of the coaches, parents and volunteers for the Lamar League, this dream might have never come true.”

“The community support is amazing. It’s so special,” Pollard said a day after his team earned its Series berth. “I’ve never seen so many grown men cry.”