Hamilton, Ohio back for a sixth time and keeps producing
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The blue outfield wall stands out when looking at West Side Hamilton's Little League Field. All the banners adorning what locals call, "The Big Blue Monster" stands out more.
In fact, that big wall is running out of space. Becoming one of the world's best Little League programs can do that.
Hamilton West Side has made history this year and now is the only American league which has made six Little League World Series appearances. Hamilton is at South Williamsport for the sixth time since 1991 after capturing the Great Lakes championship and plays Mountain champion Nevada Thursday.
The debate now concerning the wall is whether to stack this year's banners below the others or to the right. Space is becoming quite limited.
"It kind of speaks for itself when you look out there," said Hamilton manager Tim Nichting who is coaching at the Series for a fifth time. "I think every kid that comes into the league understands what is expected as far as hard work and what we hope to do. It doesn't just happen. A lot of work has to go into it."
That has never been a problem at Hamilton. At its foundation, this league is built upon that labor, not just of players and coaches, but also the board members, volunteers and families. It truly is a team effort.
What a team Hamilton produces. Year after year after year ...
"It's a full effort. There are a lot of coaches and officials who put in a lot of time and we have a strong structure in place," said Hamilton coach Ken Coomer who is making his fourth Series appearance since 2007. "It's one of those things where if you're in business or any walk of life, people see you have success and want to be involved. It helps when you have a program as successful as ours because people want to be involved and the kids want to play."
Hamilton really started playing the game as well as anyone around when Ray Nichting began coaching in 1968. Tim's father brought professional playing experience to the league and Hamilton started making strides, culminating with its Series debut in 1991. Two years later, Ray Nichting led Hamilton back again and the cycle of excellence started hitting turbo mode.
Ray passed the baton to Tim and he, Coomer and so many other dedicated coaches kept fanning the flames from there. Series appearances followed in 2007 and 2010 and Hamilton finished second at the 2021 Series.
Many say the Series is a once in a lifetime opportunity. For the players' that is usually true. For the league itself, Hamilton has busted that theory. It knows it will not reach every Series, but Hamilton always believes it can and works toward that goal.
The Big Blue Monster validates those efforts.
Included up there are not just the five previous Series appearances, but also a remarkable 23 state championships. That ties Hamilton for second-most state titles all-time with only Lake Charles, Louisiana ahead. And no league has more won state championships (17) this century than Hamilton. This most recent was Hamilton's seventh in eight years and it was one win from reaching last year's Series as well.
"It all starts with Ray. The way we do the process started with Ray and Tim and I just followed it," Coomer said. "We have good work ethics here. We feel like the kids relate to us and we get the best out of them."
Maybe most remarkable when looking at Hamilton's history is one stunning fact. It has never not won the district championship. Sports can be one of the most unpredictable aspects in life, but in addition to the sun rising it has been safe to say that another guarantee is Hamilton winning districts.
And from history comes motivation. The past does not guarantee the future, but it makes the upcoming players even more determined to keep the tradition going.
"It's one of those things where they don't want to be the first team to lose there," said Davidson, whose son played on the 2019 state champion. "It's one of those things where it's almost, for some of these kids, more neverwracking in districts. But all the coaches do a great job keeping the kids focused and not letting the moments get too big for them."
The more things change, the more they stay the same in Hamilton. That includes how the league organizes and structures itself as well as the way coaches teach and mentor players. Talent is spread evenly across the six teams and that creates constant regular season battles. Iron often sharpens iron and the 12 all-stars earn their appearances the hard way.
Still, while the championships are wonderful, the league has a more ultimate goal it hopes to achieve each year regardless of all-star results. Whatever the level, all players receive the same attention. It's more about developing players on and off the field than it is winning. The two just happen to hand-in-hand.
"I have a great group of board members. They are so dedicated to the kids and the park," Davidson said. "It's not just the 12 kids that are on the all-star team. It's the 500 kids. They care for every one of them. They make it enjoyable for everyone. They make it good life lessons where they are teaching more than just baseball. We want to teach them how to be good, young adults."
Consider that, mission accomplished. Hamilton players often are saluted not just because they win, but because of how they play and conduct themselves. This team is no different, and in a league filled with so much history, has found a way to make some more.
"We won the state title this year in Youngstown and got home at 7 at night and they we all asking me after the game if we were practicing when we get home. They just love baseball," Nichting said. "We find a way to make it fun for the kids and they have a ball. Everything seems to work out OK."
That is quite an understatement. In fact, when it comes to U.S. Series appearances, Hamilton has achieved something unprecedented. And no matter how many state championships this team wins, the city of Hamilton responds to each one like it's the first.
No matter how often one does it, winning always is extremely hard. The league showcases that effort every season and the city is happy to shower it with royal welcome homes. That included earlier this month when Hamilton hosted a championship parade when it returned home from taking its 23rd state championship.
Whenever this run ends, the honors will continue pouring in. The Hamilton Little Leaguer all-stars are the kings of their town these days.
And when it comes to year-by-year success, Hamilton has become quite a jewel in the Little League worldwide crown.
"I can't say enough about the city of Hamilton. Our community support is incredible," Davidson said. "You'd think they'd get tired of celebrating, but they don't," Davidson said. "It's the local community and donors and sponsors and businesses and restaurants. It's just endless support that comes from the city of Hamilton."
Endless Little League success, too.