This will be California District 42 administrator Ernie Lucero’s third trip to Williamsport in the past six years as a member of the victorious Little League World Series West Region championship contingent. His first trip to the hallowed Little League World Series in 2009 was especially productive as the Park View Blue Bombers won it all with a 6-3 victory over Chinese Taipei.
He returned to Pennsylvania in 2013 to cheer on Eastlake Little League to the United States Little League World Series title, and now he’s back this year as Sweetwater Valley Little League makes a historic trek to Little League fantasyland.
It’s been an amazing experience for Lucero. But this year’s District 42 representative is special to Lucero for another reason. His nephew, catcher Ari Armas, is on the Sweetwater Valley team.
“Also, I’ve known some of the players since they played T-ball, and it just makes me feel so proud to see how far they’ve come,” Lucero said.
Pride is surging right now in South County and, for that matter, around the world, as fans begin to cheer on the U.S. West representative. Sweetwater Valley’s amazing journey to Williamsport underscores the hard work and dedication that players and coaches have put into their craft within the district.
“Three teams going to Williamsport within the last six years shows that our South County Little Leagues in District 42 are very competitive,” Lucero explained. “To me, this means that baseball is a way of life for South County kids.
“I want to thank the parents for signing up their kids to play in Little League and for dedicating time to take them to practice and their games.”
Fans have lined up at viewing parties to catch a glimpse of the hard-hitting Sweetwater Valley team, which carried an undefeated 16-0 record into Friday’s opening game against Great Lakes Region champion Bowling Green Eastern from Kentucky. Lucero said strong community support has been an underlying factor in the ongoing success of teams from the district.
It hasn’t gone unnoticed, either. Present at last Saturday’s regional championship game with Lucero was former Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox, who was representing her husband, County Supervisor Greg Cox, at the game.
“The community is showing great support for these kids,” Lucero said. “A huge crowd gathered at Pizzo’s Pizzeria and other local restaurants to watch them on TV and cheer them on from afar. That serves to demonstrate just how much the community appreciates the accomplishments thus far of these kids from the Bonita-Chula Vista area.”
Lucero termed the heart-pounding finish to last Saturday’s West Regional championship game — a 12-10 Sweetwater Valley victory recorded on a rundown between home plate and third base for the final out to finally thwart a courageous Hawaii comeback — “an amazing ending to a great game.”
“These kids are present and they play with heart, never giving up — just as the Hawaii team did,” Lucero noted.
Sweetwater Valley is guaranteed three games at this year’s Little League World Series. The U.S. division championship game is scheduled Aug. 29. The U.S. champion will then take on the International division champion for the 2015 LLWS title on Aug. 30.
However, everyone is a winner in Lucero’s eyes for just making the trek to the Little League World Series.
“I feel very proud of these kids for joining Little League and pursuing their dream of playing in Williamsport,” he said. “In my mind they’re already winners no matter what happens in Williamsport.”
Family affair
Kelly Lannom, wife of Sweetwater Valley Little League 12U all-star team manager Ward Lannom who is serving as the team’s media liaison, said all the players’ families will be represented in Williamsport. Additionally, she said family members of last year’s SVLL 12U all-star team, plus other families associated with the league, and extended families, also will be present.
