World Series Junior League - Arrival and Opening Ceremony

 

The historical and somewhat sleepy venue of Heritage Park in Taylor, Michigan sprung to life on the eve of the tournament in a solid 26 degrees earlier this afternoon. A patchy outfield was a little disappointing, but the infield glistened in this 37 year old tournament's historical splendour. The delights of a door-to-door journey of 27 hours and some 9,000 miles was now behind us...for at least a further week. The loss of our third baseman and number two hitter, Solomon Maguire to an appendectomy earlier this week before our departure, was an untimely and major disappointment for him and his family, but the team remains buoyant and optimistic. They trained well today and will be experiencing the might of Taiwan, a geographically small, but ruthless opponent. They will need to be in their best form. 

With the final touches being applied to the field today, the tournament's opening ceremony took place tonight in downtown Wayne County. The team wore their new undershirts - a little uncharacteristic in hue and style - but these are determined by creative designers positioned well away from the team. Guests can only thank and hosts can only hope.

A baseball opening ceremony brings with it a walk-on of all teams who assemble facing home plate (just off the infield)...there are speeches from local dignatories, pledges and oaths of fair play, an anthem or two and a ceremonial first pitch before a fireworks crescendo, which was up there with the New Year's Eve fireworks in Sydney harbour.

Liam had the honour of flag bearer for our team who are on a big stage here now. A warm appreciation of their presence from so far afield, rippled through the bulging stands from a healthy and chiefly local crowd which had gathered enthusiastically under the tiring sun.

This sport is magnificent for its worldly perspective, for its camaraderie and will forge friendships and memories for many years to come.

We await the start of the tournament tomorrow where more rainbows and fewer fireworks would suit us just fine. Baseball fans around the world can visit the website www.ustream.tv/channel/jlws to catch live streaming. Our first game is at 10.00am on Monday morning Sydney time.