Youth baseball team loses tournament, comes home winners

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Rolando Pabon
  • 95th Medical Group
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A run for a Little League Division 51 championship came to an end for the Edwards Mets Majors baseball team June 19.

Comprised of children between the ages of 10 and 12 years old, the team traveled to California City and lost a heartbreaker in extra innings to the higher seeded California City team.

It was not the ending that anyone back at the base would have scripted, but the Mets proved themselves during the game.

They were the first youth baseball team in over 4 years to represent Edwards in any post-season tournament.

"Due to the nature of the military, with PCS moves and summer vacations, it is very difficult to keep a team together after the school year ends," said Emil Graves, Edwards youth sports director. "Luckily, we were able to not only field a team, but play at a high level. Recognition goes to the players, coaches and parents of the Mets."

The underdog Mets entered the tournament shorthanded, but proved to be no pushover as they played their best game of the season which included a two out two run rally in the last inning to send the game into extra innings.

The players weren't there without plenty of support; over 50 fans filled the stands and cheered the teams well beyond the final out.

"The kids played and competed phenomenally," said Pam Blanks, parent of a team member. "The game was so exciting; some of the fans lost their voices.

After the game, a parent of one of the players talked about how much she thought the team improved over the course of the season.

"I couldn't be more proud of them, they improved their skills, gave it all they had, and never quit. This is what youth sports should be about," said Sean Dobbin, Mets Team Mom. "Even though they lost this game, the boys are all winners."