From Humble Beginnings to the World Series - Our Journey
The Mighty Mighty Mariners fantastic performance in the Senior League World Series came to an end with a 2-7 loss to worthy champions Central (Chicago). The Central team came with all guns blazing in the final after our team had the jump on them in our first game of the tournament when we led them 7-3 after 4 innings. They prevailed in that game after lifting and were worthy winners in the final yesterday.
We played 22 games, won 3 championships, played in 3 different countries and lost 2 games in that time....to the one team!
This team has so much to be proud of.
As Mat Sundstrom (head of Little League Australia tournaments) said in an email today that "this team is now folklore in Australian Baseball history and proof that Australian Baseball teams can match it with the rest of the world"in this charter format of competition. A great compliment.
We understand the interest back home has been enormous....messages of support from all round Australia from other charters was much appreciated, as was the support from the local Bangor community who were amazed at the fighting spirit and the never say die spirit of the Southern Mariners.
Memorable moments were the bus trip back to our motel with the team celebrating with a rousing rendition of "Sweet Caroline" and that special feeling that only team sport can offer after a memorable win especially after knocking home team Maine out in the semi's.
The emotion was real, almost surreal and the supporters in the stands enjoyed the moment as much as the team did.
The players have had experiences that they may never have again. The Media, almost celebrity status with the locals and some fantastic team baseball to name a few. They have endeared themselves to the respective authorities and baseball followers wherever we have travelled in the past 8 months.
They are to be commended for this.
The Southern Mariners Charter have a lot to be grateful for with these guys putting the baseball spotlight on our charter.
It is important that we now capitalize on the achievements of this team and ensure that the belief that this team has created, transcends to the younger playing members of our charter, who must work at least as hard off the playing field in order to match the deeds of this team.
From a committee perspective we will ensure the right structures are,in our opinions in place for juniors to follow the pathway that charter baseball offers.
We do need your support however....more coaches,team managers,executive officers etc etc to ensure we provide that opportunity.
Our charter has had a remarkable 12 months with State success in 6 out of 7 age levels including women's junior baseball.
The opportunities are immense....the World Series Championships is a fantastic event,I challenge the next level of players to strive for the same opportunities that the Senior League team enjoyed by their commitment to improving through hard work with various baseball programs.
It hasn't happened by chance nor will further success.
Finally thanks for all the messages of support....I know the player appreciated it,it also showed how although in its early years that the Southern Mariners has a level of support that would be envied by most charters anywhere in the world.
Will be discussing ways on how to engage and promote baseball within your charter through these players when I get home from the States.
Regards
Rick Wills
President - Southern Mariners
Daniel Clifford Memorial Award
The Southern Mariners attended the World Series Senior League Banquet last night at Bangor, Maine and were honoured with receiving the Daniel E Clifford memorial Sportsmanship Award.
The award is voted on by all umpires in attendance at the tournament nad is awarded on the criteria of "Play Hard, Play Fair & Have Fun".
The team were delighted and honored to receive an award such as this, as voted by hte umpires at such a significant event.
Australia and Spain make 1st ever trip to the World Series
Baseball's popularity gaining traction overseas
Fresh faces on the international front have earned their way to the Queen City in the last week. Southern Mariners, out of Melbourne, Australia, won the Asia-Pacific regional on July 16, and Cataluña L.L., out of Barcelona, Spain, won the Europe-Africa regional the same day.
The regional titles are the first ever in Senior League Baseball for the Australians and the Spaniards. The win for Cataluña snapped a seven-year streak of Italian teams winning the Europe-Africa title. Appropriately enough, Cataluña defeated defending Europe-Africa champ Lazio L.L., Lazio, Italy, 5-3 in the title game.
For the Australians, the Senior League Baseball title is further evidence of baseball’s growing popularity in the land down under. In 2013, there were enough leagues in Little League’s Majors division to warrant Little League International declaring the nation a region unto itself, on par with Canada, Japan, and Mexico.
Since Little League Baseball came to Australia in 2007, the organization’s presence has swelled to 477 chartered teams and more than 4,500 players between the ages of 11 and 12, according to the Southern Mariners website.
Baseball is also growing in Spain, as Cataluña’s regional title comes only three years after the introduction of Little League in the European country.
The Australians and Spaniards will both play in Bracket A, along with Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Central champion. Puerto Rico will itself be another first-time visitor to Bangor, as it dethroned two-time defending Latin America champ Curacao on June 2.
The Australians have drawn a first-round bye and will begin World Series play at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 1 against the winner of Spain and U.S. Central, who will open the series at 11 a.m. on July 31.
http://bangorinfo.com/worldseries/Stories/2016/20160722-1/20160722-1.html
