Jackie Robinson West All Stars Victorious Over Rhode Island
It was another big game win for the Jackie Robinson West All-Stars a south side Chicago baseball team representing the Great Lakes region in the Little League World Series 2014 games, beating the Rhode Island Little League team 8-7 on Monday.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who is obviously excited about the Jackie Robinson All-Star's progress, and who has been supporting the team throughout its journey, hosted yet another watch party Tuesday night, just as he has for the other games the team has played.
Tuesday’s watch party, due to the inclement weather, was held at the auditorium of Mt. Vernon Elementary School at 10540 South Morgan Street, directly north of Jackie Robinson Park where the Jackie Robinson West All Stars’ previous watch parties were held for friends, families and neighbors to come together and cheer for the team.
The Mayor released a statement saying, “Tonight's win underscores Jackie Robinson West's unparalleled strength and resilience; I've said it before and I've said it again- never bet against Chicago's kids. With their positive attitude and hard work, the All Stars and Coach Darold Butler have set a remarkable example for all of Chicago, and we as a City could not be prouder of them. I join all of Chicago in wishing them the best of luck tomorrow (Tuesday), and as evidenced by the watch parties that have drawn hundreds of Chicagoans, it’s safe to say the whole City will continue to root for them tomorrow.”
With congratulations coming from just about everyone in the Chicagoland area, along with well wishes from celebrities, government officials, radio and television personalities, for once in really long time, Chicago captured news headlines for something positive involving young African American males. The Jackie Robinson West Little League team--an all, African American team from Chicago’s south side--accomplished an historic fete, showing the world their phenomenal baseball skills, great sportsmanship and winning attitudes.
In the 2014 World Series tournament that began Aug. 14, the Morgan Park-based team made history with its first appearance in 31 years in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, beating the Lynwood Pacific Little League team from Lynwood Washington in five innings with a score of 12-2, by way of what’s called the mercy rule (in Little League baseball, mercy rules usually call for the game to end if the winning team is ahead by 10 runs after five innings.)
"For those kids to make it, 31 years after we did it, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Ronell Coleman, a member of the 1983 Jackie Robinson team, was quoted saying in an ESPN news story. "It's a tough road to make it there. You can be the best team but never make it. I may be wrong, but I think we were the first all-black team [from Chicago] to make it there and they are only the second, so they have a lot to be proud of...and from the city of Chicago? It's a beautiful thing."
Comprised of 11 -and 12-year-olds, from Auburn Gresham, Englewood, Chatham, Morgan Park and Washington Heights, the Jackie Robinson team also had a 12-7 victory over the New Albany, Indiana team in the Great Lakes Regional championship played in Indianapolis Aug. 9.
On Sunday though the team lost 13-2 to the Mountain Ridge Little League Team from Las Vegas, Nevada, by the same mercy rule, the team’s first loss since the playoffs began.
From Aug. 14 to Aug. 24, all Little League World Series games will be played in Williamsport, Pa.
After winning against the Rhode Island team on Monday, the Jackie Robinson team played another elimination game against Pearland, Texas on Tuesday in hopes of advancing to the next game to be played on Thursday.
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