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 What's It Like To BE...
What's It Like To Be World Series Champions?
Can you imagine what it would be like to play in the Little League World Championship game and win? The Southeast team from Warner-Robins, Georgia, did just that! They played against Japan in the championship game and brought home the title of Little League World Series Champions! Since many Kidsville News! readers are just signing up for baseball, or maybe even starting practices, I thought you might want to learn more about this awesome team! Read the complete interview at www.kidsvillenews.com.
Back row: Coach Mike Smith, Hunter Jackson, Dalton Carriker, Payton
Purvis, David Umphreyville, Clint Wynn, Keaton Allen, Zane Conlon,
Kendall Scott, Coach Mickey Lay. Front Row: Taylor Lay, Hunt Smith,
Micah Wells, Nick Martens.
TRUMAN: Whats it like to be the World Series Champion?
Hunt Smith (1st base & outfield): It took several months before it ever sunk into my head that we had really won the World Series. Its been crazy!
Clint Wynn (pitcher & outfield): Its exciting to go to a lot of special events and places, like meeting the President of the U.S. and going to a lot of sports events.
Dalton Carriker (shortstop & pitcher): It is by far the coolest thing that has happened to me in my 13 years.
TRUMAN: What was the atmosphere like at Williamsport, Pa. (home of the Little League World Series)?
Hunter Jackson (3rd base): It was like you could smell baseball in the air.
Kendall Scott (catcher & pitcher): It was basically two weeks of being a pro: Cameras were everywhere, and you were the star.
Hunt Smith: It was one of the most beautiful places Ive ever been. The field sits in the middle of the rolling hills.
Zane Conlon (pitcher, shortstop, 2nd base, outfield): We had several days of rain. It was funny, but I sure did get muddy playing.
TRUMAN: Were you nervous when you made it to the final series game?
Nick Martens (infield & outfield) Like you wouldnt believe.
Hunt Smith: Actually, not really. My dad was one of the coaches, and he told us to play like it was just another game. He told us before we got to
Williamsport that if we didnt win ONE game, it was a privilege just to make it to the Little League World Series.
TRUMAN: How cool was it to play baseball on national TV?
Dalton Carriker: At first it made me a little nervous, but once you started playing, you forgot about being on t.v.It was neat seeing highlights on ESPN!
Nick Martens: It was really exciting, knowing that millions of people were watching you.
TRUMAN: Has anyone asked for your autograph since you got back? What was that like? Do you feel like celebrities now?
Dalton Carriker: Ive signed hundreds of autographs.Not so much now but in the first few months after we won all the time.
Zane Conlon: Our hometown showed up at the ballpark when we got back. The police had to protect us from the girls. Gave out lots of autographs. One Gentleman from Penn. mailed me a picture of Babe Ruth. That was
awesome. There are times that you feel like a celebrity; then other times you are just a 13-year-old in middle school.
TRUMAN: How different was it to play against foreign teams than against other American teams?
Clint Wynn: It was not different playing them on the field, but hanging out with them off the field was different because they wouldnt shake your hand; they would give you a hug.
Nick Martens: Their team signs were different, and they would yell out something to their players that you wouldnt understand.
TRUMAN: Who was the hardest team to play against?
Zane Conlon: Japan; they are a skilled team. They practiced like four times a day when they were in Williamsport. Japan was also great in ping pong.
Nick Martens: The West Macon team in our district tournament, or Japan.
TRUMAN: How much do you have to practice to be the best?
Hunter Jackson: A lot!
Hunt Smith: There is more to being the best team than practicing alone. All team members must truly be a team. They must support each other on and off the field. Also, you have to have fun. My dad always told us, lets have fun and play a little baseball while we do it. We were a very loose team, and we had fun. We practiced about five days a week, and we practiced hard. But our coaches never took the fun out of the game.
TRUMAN: Do you have any other hobbies or play any other sports
besides baseball?
Dalton Carriker: I like to fish.I play basketball, football and soccer, but
baseball is my favorite sport.
Kendall Scott: I play football and basketball, and I have wrestled.
TRUMAN: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Dalton Carriker: I would love to play professional baseball one day, but I think I might like to study pharmacy in college.
Hunt Smith: I would like to be a pastor.
TRUMAN: Who are some of your favorite major league players, and why?
Hunter Jackson: A-Rod.He plays 3rd base, and he strives to be thebest.
Zane Conlon: Babe Ruth; he was a great hitter.
TRUMAN: As champions, what responsibilities do you think you have to all those who look up to you and admire you?
Clint Wynn: To show good sportsmanship and always keep your head up, WIN or LOSE!
Zane Conlon: Set good examples, be a leader, do good in school. Mom and Dad make sure I do my responsibilities around the house.
TRUMAN: What pointers do you have for young children just beginning to play sports who aspire to be champions?
Clint Wynn: Stay focused, make good grades, be drug-free and show respect to your coaches, teachers and parents.
Hunter Jackson: Practice hard, strive to be the best and keep your attitude straight.
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