NEWS

Sturg and I are still making our way back from Williamsport and hustling home to our TVs for tonight’s first pitch at 7 pm with Northwood Little League taking the field again the “hometown” Red Land (PA).

To say this has been a long trip and a grinder would be a vast understatement. However, there’s no way Sturg and I would have missed it. This was way too big and way too important for Northwood, their program, the Upstate and also for our entire state. If you all only knew how much we wished we could have stayed for tonight’s game and thru the week with Northwood hopefully playing deep into the coming week.

The Little League World Series experience and this incredible sporting opportunity, all made possible by the special players and coaches from Northwood, was something I’ll remember forever. It was a sports experience that ranks right up there next to the Army-Navy game for me. The combination of so many things together made it something unlike any other I’ve ever been a part of.

Sports in its purest form is special yet rare in this day and age. The LLWS experience is one of the most pure on such a grand stage in America. 

This was an All-American chance to see the display of heart-touching sportsmanship by the kids to each other (on opposing teams), camaraderie among the team parents, an entire small community rallying together to give visiting kids, families, sponsors, media all unfolding in a little, quaint central Pennsylvania town nestled in the a valley.

There wasn’t anything resembling a college football tailgate outside with endless 12 ounce cans being consumed. Rowdy fans in Williamsport was only used to describe an army of team parents leaping to their feet, cheering a home run at Lamade or Volunteer Stadiums. Curse words weren’t in the lexicon of the adults taking in the game as spectators in the stands. 

Make no mistake, it wasn’t easy to get to. But once you arrive in Williamsport and get a taste of the Little League atmosphere, you’ll be forever grateful that you made the pilgrimage. Sturg and I both sure are.

Speaking of grateful, let’s be real…this was ALL made possible by the 14 special kids from Northwood and their humble and grounded coaching staff led by Kevin Tumblin. I mentioned it in a previous post that it’s crystal clear why Northwood is in this position. It’s Kevin’s leadership. It’s his quiet confidence. It’s his passion.

Every single Northwood parent we interacted with provided us with enough words, emotions and stories to let us know Kevin’s guidance is the reason his team plays with confidence, a steady hand, isn’t intimidated by the big stage or bright ESPN lights or cameras.

I haven’t known Kevin that long, barely two weeks now. Heck, after several gracious phone interviews, I met him in person for the very first time just before doing a pregame interview with him Friday afternoon before Northwood’s historic opening win. You can see his passion and big heart just by standing and watching him coach his players, hug his wife Courtney and twin girls before a game or just listening to him describe how special this experience is by having his 12-year old son Ben in the dugout and starting in right field for his team. He’s cherishing every minute and second of this father-son experience most dream of.

I’ll forever cherish and remember the smiles I saw on the faces of Ben, Braden Golinski, Alex Edmondson and Terrence Gist when the walked into the post game interview room after Friday’s win over Rhode Island. I’ll remember standing right at the backstop fence as Alex tossed that final out of his no-hitter, giving our state a moment in history with the win and the elation every Northwood player had on the diamond and those running out of the dugout to celebrate. 



I’ll remember ESPN Baseball Tonight analyst Tim Kurkjian live on the air with us when Terrence hit a blast over the left field wall and simply looking down at the table uttering “my goodness,” while shaking his head in utter disbelief at how far the ball traveled. I’ll also remember Rhode Island coach Gary Bucci saying less than 10 feet from me after the game, “(Terrence’s) ball is still going somewhere.”

I’ll also remember that one last glimpse of the early-evening sun setting over Lamade Stadium as we walked to the ESPN Upstate vehicle to say goodbye and begin our trek back to Greenville. 



And how could I ever forget hill slides with Sturg, as kids giggled, laughed and filmed two over-the-hill radio guys trying to act like kids their age again?

While our trip may be over, Northwood’s journey is far from complete in Williamsport. Tonight’s game against the Pennsylvania squad is huge with a spot in the U.S. semifinals on the line. A loss would mean our boys would still live to fight another day but have to work their way thru several elimination games to make the semis. Anything is possible with this steely and unfazed bunch.

Decked out in my new black and gold Southeast Region t-shirt (thanks Sturg) and lid, I’ll be home supporting Kevin and the boys. Wishing we were still in Williamsport as one of the approximate 100 cheering behind the dugout, I know with or without us that they’ll get it done and continue this amazing ride they’ve taken the Upstate on. 

Keep it going Northwood…ESPN Upstate and the entire community is behind you!