Paseo Verde all stars pitcher Michael Blasko throws during the game against Waipio, Hawaii, in the Western Regional Championship game of the Little League World Series in San Bernardino, Calif. Paseo Verde lost 4-3.
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 | 10:05 a.m.
Run Falls Short
The Paseo Verde Little League team's bid for the state's first-ever World Series berth falls short. Watch players and coaches react to the heart-breaking loss.
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In the month since Paseo Verde Little League’s all-star team fell one game shy of making the Little League World Series, its players have met Gov. Jim Gibbons, Henderson Mayor James Gibson and received more congratulations than they can handle.
Now, it’s time from them to get back to what they do best — playing baseball.
The age 12 and younger Nevada Wildcats, which have eight members from Paseo Verde’s summer team, return to the field Sept. 19 to compete in the Triple Crown Henderson/Las Vegas Fall Nationals.
The tournament is considered one of the biggest of the year and the competition is expected to be better than what Paseo Verde faced at Little League’s Western Regional last month, where it lost in the championship game.
“We’re excited to be back,” said Jim Kelly, coach of both Paseo Verde and the Wildcats. “We’re looking to win this. There’s not as much pressure, but there’s a lot of luck in it.”
The Wildcats won the 11 and younger division of the tournament last year.
Wildcats second baseman Griffin Kelly, son of coach Kelly, said the competition this weekend will be even stronger than Little League.
Instead of facing all-stars from other Little Leagues, the Wildcats will be facing club teams hand-picked by experienced coaches.
“There are a lot of good teams especially the ones out of Southern California,” Griffin said. “Our pitching must be really deep. Everyone will have to step it up.”
The Wildcats will look for guidance on the mound from ace Michael Blasko, who Jim Kelly called one of the nation’s top pitchers for his age. Cleanup hitter Jesse Keiser will lead the offense.
Kelly has told his players not to dwell on the loss Aug. 12 in the regional finals, one victory shy of reaching the series.
“Of course they were disappointed but they have gotten over it,” Jim Kelly said. “The most important thing is for us to move on.”
Jim Kelly, a math teacher at Bob Miller Middle School, said his team has enjoyed the attention associated with their summer run.
On Sept. 16, Gibson honored the team before a Henderson City Council meeting.
“It has been a very good experience,” Griffin said. “One of the best memories of my life.”
The Fall Nationals are in their sixth year in Southern Nevada and will host more than 200 club teams from the west in age divisions between 10 and younger to 14.
Games will be held all day from Sept. 19 to 21 at the Arroyo Grande Sports Complex, Mission Hills Park, Anthem Hills Park and Dos Escuelas Park.
Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected].
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