June 20, 2005
Fans fill the bleachers to cheer on America's favorite sport, but we're not talking about the pros. Charlottesville little League championship is a family affair.
Boys have grown-up playing little league in Charlottesville for over 50 years. Dennis Steljes used to play and now cheers on his son who pitches for Kiwanis and says the game will teach him what he learned.
"You learn teamwork and you know you have success and then you have to deal with failure," said Steljes.
Both the Kiwanis and the UVa Community Credit Union teams had impressive winning records coming into the game, which made it such an exciting match-up.
"Pitching, I thought they were an overall good team," said center fielder for the Credit Union Hank Mailet.
Parents said they hoped the game would teach their children lessons.
"I think they learn the importance of teamwork, hard work, discipline," said parent Brent McGhee.
But we should never underestimate the knowledge of young people.
"I had just a normal preparation through pitches in the bull pen, about 25 or so and I really asked God for help and he helped me out," said John Nolan pitcher for the Credit Union.
"You just have to work as a team and when you're down, don't get down on yourself and pump your team up and you'll come back and win it," said KJ Cherry, 3rd baseman for the Credit Union.
The UVa Community Credit Union won in a close match, which many result from the team's dynamics.
"The kids really wanted this, they played hard on the field and won the game," said coach Jeff Moscicki.
"My favorite part about the season was winning the little league championship and it's awesome playing with these guys because we really get along well," said Mailet.
The final score was 2 to 1, but in the end it wasn't about the scoreboard it was about learning how to work together as a team.
Although the regular season has ended, all-star games begin early July.
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