Meridian, Idaho (CBS2) – A team of 10-year-old baseball players will represent Idaho in the Cal Ripken World Series this August.
Ryan Bias and Jon Keller coach the Meridian Youth Baseball team. “These kids are among the most talented in the state of Idaho,” says their coach.
The 10U select all-star team came together in January and practice three times a week behind Meridian Middle School. They are the only team from Idaho, and one of only two teams from the northwest to play in the tournament this summer. Coach Bias said the trip will cost $40,000. They are hoping members of the community will support them.
How teams get to the World Series
There are two ways teams get an invite to the World Series. One is that you win state, get invited to a regional tournament, and you get a bid to the World Series. Or as this team did, organizers look at their record, which teams they’ve played, and compare them to other teams in the world.
Coach Bias said he got the call the team was going to the world series as he was finalizing the roster. Once the team was selected, he held a meeting with parents and players told them about the opportunity. “To go as an Idaho team and represent the state and the pacific northwest in this tournament, it's a huge honor,” said Coach Bias.
Reaction from players
Players had a wide range of emotions and reactions to the world series announcement. All of them talked about the thrill of playing baseball at this level.
Hawk told us, “I'm very excited and it's a great honor.”
Vinny said it feels “amazing.”
Reese said he was “speechless.”
Wesley reacted saying it was “very exciting.
“Every kid dreams of doing it and I get to do it so I'm really excited,” said Eli.
Gavin mentioned he was a little nervous to be playing in a big tournament like this.
“I was very, very surprised and had a big smile on my face,” said Maddox.
Mitchell said “I'm very happy and I've very grateful we get to go and I hope we win.”
When asked about playing in front of a big crowd, Austin said “You kind of have butterflies in your stomach.”
What coaches are teaching the players
Coaches Ryan Bias and Jon Keller are teaching the boys the fundamentals of baseball. The players frequently practice pitching, batting, catching and base-running.
“It's a lot of work, time, and effort from the kids and their parents. We're out here at least four or five times a week doing some kind of baseball activity. We kept them going in the fall as well and in the winter, working out in the gym or on the baseball field,” said Coach Keller.
“This level of baseball is different than your normal rec ball,” said Dan Coates, a father of one of the players. “They practice multiple times a week, the friendships that he's made on these teams are going to be friendships he has probably for the rest of his life.”
Life lessons
While the players are learning the fundamentals of baseball, they are also learning life lessons.
“There's a lot of kids and adults struggling with self-worth, anxiety, and depression,” said Coach Bias. “I really feel like a lot of self-worth is built upon self-mastery. As these kids are out there, they are mastering themself. They are working hard; they are working through mistakes and that's something beautiful baseball has to offer. It's a game built on mistakes. On failure. At the young age of 10 years old, they can learn failure is a part of life and strive to get better, and better, and better, which hopefully long-term is going to benefit them.”
The players seem to be picking up on the lessons their coaches are teaching them. Here are the things some of the players told us they have learned by playing baseball.
Reese: “When you're in a bad mood, just try to be nice to people that didn't make you in a bad mood.”
Wesley: “You have to work with certain types of people even if you don't like working with them.”
Austin: “It's a game that you have to stay focused, and you can't get sad. You stay disciplined.”
Mitchell: “Work hard and be nice.”
What’s next
The team will be playing in tournaments throughout the summer before they leave for Indiana. CBS2 will be following their journey and sharing highlights along the way.
How you can help
The team needs to raise $40,000. You can help support them here.
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