Arizona to Play at Little League World Series...Again

LLWS_Active — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 18:03:00 GMT

His father may have played for the New York Yankees but Cody Bellinger has quickly made a name for himself in leading his Chandler (Ariz.) Little League team to a Western Regional title over Solana Beach (Calif.) Little League Saturday night. The 7-3 victory guarantees Chandler a trip to the Little League World Series in Williamsport and represents the second time in five years a team from this central Arizona city will participate in the world's premier youth sporting event.

Bellinger wasted little time in giving Chandler the lead over upstart Solana Beach, with a no-doubter first inning two-run home run to the opposite field. For Chandler manager Jeff Parrish it was a sign this offensive juggernaut--which had been stifled through much of the tournament--was beginning to awaken.

"The pitching was so much better here than we faced in district and in state," said Parrish. "We just wanted to put the ball in play and good things happened."

Those good things included two home runs from Chandler starting pitcher Skyler Palermo--to go along with eight strikeouts over four innings--and a dominant 1 2/3 from closer Seth "The Hammer" Fretheim.

"We had a lot of confidence in Seth," said Parrish. "'The Hammer' got it done."

For Solana Beach, it was a case of missed scoring opportunities and possibly the added pressure of playing playing before a capacity crowd, that left them a bit short.

"When you're playing in front of 10,000 fans it's going to get you a little off-base," said Solana Beach manager Michael Thurston. "We played well. We just didn't play our game."

Despite the loss Thurston called the experience of taking his Solana Beach team to the regionals "the best vacation I've ever had."

The vacation continues for Chandler Little League as the boys prepare to depart for the Little League World Series Monday at 2 a.m. Perhaps Clay Bellinger, team coach and proud father of Cody, as well as a World Series participant himself with the New York Yankees in 2000, can provide some additional tips for the boys.

Either way Bellinger, who humorously notes he's been "stuck in these barracks for hours at a time" with more than a dozen 12-year-olds, is looking forward to a much-needed day off.

"We' re going to let the parents take the kids for a day. They owe us big-time. (Laughs). We are looking forward to it."

Chandler Little League will begin their quest for a Little League World Series title against the mid Atlantic regional champion Saturday at Lamade Stadium in Williamsport.

2007 Little League World Series: West

Arizona to Play at Little League World Series...Again