West Little League reached the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. Now, they are finally returning. The 9, 10 and 11-year-old Indians from the league will be among 14 Little League baseball teams from urban communities that will be talking par
Other teams taking part will be from Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Stockton, Calif.; Los Angeles; Bridgeport, Conn.; Houston; Indianapolis; Johns Island, S.C.; Dallas; Macon, Ga.; Trenton, N.J.; Milwaukee and Baltimore. “This is a great opportunity for our league,” says Jackie Robinson West Little League president William Haley.
“It not only a chance for our youngsters to see a historic place like Williamsport, but also a chance for them to interact with other kids from other Little League programs from all across the country.” The Jamboree is part of a Major League Baseball program getting inner city youngsters involved once again in playing the game of baseball.
“Major League Baseball is proud to be one of the founding partners of the Urban Initiative Jamboree,” says baseball commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “We continue to remain committed to making sure that all kids who wish to play baseball have an opportunity to do so.
“The Little League Urban Initiative Jamboree provides these opportunities and we are happy to play a role in making this dream trip a reality for the teams involved.” Games in the Jamboree will take place at Howard J. Stadium, the site of the annual Little League World Series games, and Carl Stutz Memorial Field, which is near the site of the first Little League games in 1939.
Anyone with Little League baseball news or results is asked to contact the Defender sports department at (312) 225-2400 or to send an e-mail to Larry Gross at lgross@chicagodefender.com.
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