July 13, 2006

Little Big Leaguers... vie for Prairie title and a shot at playing in a World Series
By Derek Van Diest
Edmonton Sun

The biggest little leaguers on the prairies have converged at Tiger Goldstick Park. Yesterday, the Big League Prairie Championships got underway with five teams vying for a spot at the national tournament in Brossard, Que., next weekend.

From there the winner moves on to the Big League World Series in Easely, South Carolina.

"This is probably the biggest event that we've had in Edmonton for Little League in the past five years," said district administrator Wayne Sperling. "We're actually looking at this as a tuneup to a Canadian championship at some point in the next couple of years."

Big League is the oldest age category to fall under the umbrella of Little League Baseball in Canada. Many of the 17 and 18 year olds are playing in their final year of Little League.

Some will move on to play in colleges throughout North America. Others will go on to play in junior leagues across the province. The odd gem - such as Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Reitsman, a former Little Leaguer in Calgary - will move on to play in the Major Leagues.

"The Edmonton team was at the collegiate tournament here last weekend," Sperling said. "And at that tournament there were a lot of pro scouts and a lot of college scouts that came out to look at the boys."

Big League may not be the highest profile category in Little League, that honour goes to the 10-12 year olds who play for the right to compete at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. However, the Big Leaguers do provide the highest caliber of Little League baseball.

"The calibre is very good," said Sperling. "There is going to be a lot of good pitching. We should see some home runs. We'll see some smart baseball and the coaching is very good. They'll know the game inside out."

Edmonton is represented by an all-star squad made up of players from the two Big League teams in the city. Also taking part in the tournament are teams from Calgary, Regina, Lethbridge and Fort McMurray.

Yesterday Edmonton opened the tournament, with a 6-2 loss to Regina. The final is scheduled for Saturday.

Canadian teams are generally more competitive internationally at the older age levels.

Fraser Valley's win at the 2000 Big League World Series is the only time a Canadian team has won the international title at any level. Joe Shea, president of Little League Baseball Canada said our young players are not competitive because winter keeps them off the diamonds.