I first first learn about Canyon Lake Little League (South Dakota) third baseman Bill Hendricks at the Central Region Little League tournament in Indianapolis In., last month. It was there that I found out this 12-year old was going to enter Stevens High School as a freshman this fall.

According to his parents Craig and Concepcion Hendricks, after starting kindergarten that they really noticed that Bill was special. Each day Bill would look at his teacher's lesson plan and if any part of a lesson was missed, he would tell her. "He was reading her plan and going, 'oh, we didn't do this.'" Craig said. "That's when we knew he was on his way." So, after just two weeks in kindergarten, Bill advanced to first grade and later captured the Rapid City Spelling Bee championship while competing against older students. The next year, he attended second grade for just one day before moving up to the third grade.

Bill has maintained a straight A throughout school and has skipped two grades which is how he's able to enter high school in the fall. But the Bill's story doesn't stop here.

As the starting third baseman for Midwest champ Rapid City, S.D., he has been one of the driving forces in helping his team become the first from its South Dakota to reach the Little League World Series. "It's great to see a kid excel in that many different areas," Canyon Lake Little League president Dale Gisi said. "He's a great athlete and he puts a lot of hard work into everything he does."

His favorite subject in school is science and has taken first place in three consecutive science fairs. By the fourth grade, Bill had mastered the violin and then took on the tenor saxophone in the fifth grade. In the eight grade, he made the all-state band team.

I and the millions of people people watching the the Midwest Championship last month got to see and hear Bill play "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" on his violin and it was great. And seeing how he had never played the song before and was handed the sheet music a few hours ahead of time, it was really remarkable how well he did.

"He's studied hard and he's worked hard to get this far," his mom, Concepcion said. "Socially and academically, he has no problems. He gets along with everybody and the kids love him. They see him in the hallway and they say, 'hey, you're the smart kid in the class!' "

Bill also has a talent for tennis, Bill enjoys baseball the most. "Bill has a good, solid glove, he can drive in runs and he doesn't strike out a lot. He's a good kid and a good baseball player," Rapid City coach Jeff Minnick said. "He's always giving positive information to everybody and patting them on the back. He's a vital person to our baseball team."

In the Midwest final, South Dakota's starting Pitcher Cale Fierro had already struck out 12 batters but had to leave the game having reached the mandatory 85 pitch count limit. The

As Rapid City closed in on a historic win in the Midwest final, it was Bill holding the ball. Cale Fierro had struck out 12, but had to exit after reaching the 85-pitch count limit. Canyon Lake led 7-1, but Minnesota had the bases loaded and there was just one out. Bill entered the game calm and struck out his first batter. The second batter grounded out to end the game and send Canyon Lake to the Little League World Series. "I was thinking it's just another game and I just have to throw some strikes," Bill said. "When I'm really focused I don't think pressure really gets to me. I just get up there and do what I'm supposed to do."

During the parent meeting after the championship game, Bill's dad gave me a copy of a short story Bill had written and I include it here. Whatever Bill Hendricks does in life, I'm sure it will be remarkable.

Let's Play Lifelong Baseball!
By Bill Hendricks

Welcome to Little League Baseball! Today, we've got a lifetime match up: The Impressions and the Benefits. Let's get to the lineups!

Starting for the Impressions are:
Pitching - Respect
Catching - Fun
First Base - Determination
Second Base - Cooperation
Short Stop - Team Work
Third Base - Competition
Left Field - Encouragement
Center Field - Thinking
and in Right Field - Leadership

Starting for the Benefits are:
Pitching - Self Confidence
Catching - Learning Skills
First Base - Making Friends
Second Base - Developing Coordination
Short Stop - Positive Attitude
Third Base - Life Lessons
Left Field - Work Ethics
Center Field - Helping Others
and in Right Field - Following Rules

Let's Play Lifelong Baseball!