BCLL one step away from LLWS

[KFDM COOP]

BCLL one step away from LLWS

Gabriel Pruett

The Orange Leader

BRIDGE CITY — One step away.

The Bridge City 12 year old All-Stars are headed to Waco to participate in the Southwest Regionals to advance to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Penn.

BCLL won the Texas East State Tournament to advance to Waco and now has all of Southeast Texas on their side.

“I was there and I still don’t believe what we have done,†Coach Ronnie Shugart said Wednesday. “This group really is not smart enough to know they can lose. When we started this thing when the kids were seven, we were doing travel ball and getting beat to death in Houston. I kept telling the kids the score does not matter. Now it really does not matter because they play until the umpires say ‘Ball Game.’â€

BCLL was practicing for the last time Wednesday before heading out to Waco on Thursday.

“One of the special things about this team is they really love to practice,†Shugart said. “There are some days I cut practice short and they ask why because they still want to keep going. They love the game of baseball and love to work.â€

This team has played about 400 games together and accomplished something no other Bridge City Little League team by winning a state championship.

“When we started years ago we did it for one reason, to make a run to the Little League World Series,†Shugart added. “I have been telling them every year that when they were 12 we would go to Williamsport. Now we are not going to quit until they officially tell us we cannot go. They truly believe they are going.â€

Shugart is looking for BCLL to accomplish a few cliches in Waco, win with pitching and defense.

“If we can continue to do that and scratch a few runs together, I think we will be OK,†Shugart added. “The support has been amazing. Every where we go, if we have our hats on, people ask if we are a part of this team and wish us good luck. The kids know they are representing our whole region and they are very proud of that.â€

[East TX]

Southwest Regional Championship to emerge from one of these states

TEXAS

OKLAHOMA

COLORADO

LOUISIANA

NEW MEXICO

MISSISSIPPI

ARKANSAS

[gablfan]

want to first say congrats to Ronnie and the BCLL kids for what they have done (so far). I know ya'll aint done doing ya'lls thing! Good luck in regionals and hope to be watching you guys on ESPN!!!

[Aiden1]

Represent Southeast Texas well. My cousin from Woodville in the Dixie League WS in Laurel Miss. this weekend. We play good ball around here!!!!!!!!

[SWAT34]

GOOD LUCK GUYS!! CHEERISH THE MOMENT

[bb3]

Does anyone no if kogt is going to have the games on the radio? good luck guys.

[MPrice]

  You can listen to the games on KOGT.  The first 3 games will be: Saturday, 1pm vs. Arkansas; Sunday, 5pm vs. N.Mexico; and Monday, 8pm vs. Colorado.

[Guest BCNatureBoy]

Go get em fellas 8)