WVIA Special Presentations
2025 Challenger Exhibition Game at the Little League World Series
Season 2025 Episode 4 | 58m 59sVideo has Closed Captions
Wyoming Valley Challenger Little League (Wilkes-Barre, PA) and Woburn Little League (MA)
Since 2011, WVIA has been the presenting station of The Challenger Exhibition Game broadcast held annually in August during the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The Teams participating in the 2025 game include Wyoming Valley Challenger Little League (Wilkes-Barre, PA) and Woburn Little League (MA).
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WVIA Special Presentations is a local public television program presented by WVIA
WVIA Special Presentations
2025 Challenger Exhibition Game at the Little League World Series
Season 2025 Episode 4 | 58m 59sVideo has Closed Captions
Since 2011, WVIA has been the presenting station of The Challenger Exhibition Game broadcast held annually in August during the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The Teams participating in the 2025 game include Wyoming Valley Challenger Little League (Wilkes-Barre, PA) and Woburn Little League (MA).
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How to Watch WVIA Special Presentations
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> WELCOME TO THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES IN WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.
TODAY IT IS THE CHALLENGER EXHIBITION GAME.
I AM SAN ALONG WITH TOM.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TODAY?
TOM: WE WILL NEVER SEE AS MANY SMILES AS YOU WILL TODAY ON THIS FIELD.
SAM: TEAMS FROM PENNSYLVANIA WE COME BACK.
>> FUNDING HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY EGGLAND'S BEST.
>> HEAR THE CHEERS OF THE CROWD.
SEE THEIR SMILES AS THEY CROSS HOME PLATE.
EGGLAND'S BEST KNOWS THESE MOMENTS ARE SOME OF THE BEST TIME OF YOUR CHILD'S LIFE.
GETTING READY FOR THE BIG GAME TAKES GOOD NUTRITION.
AS A SPONSOR OF LITTLE LEAGUE EGGLAND'S BEST AIMS TO INSPIRE FAMILIES TO LIVE HEALTHY LIVES ON AND OFF THE FIELD.
MORE INFORMATION AT EGGLAND'S BEST.COM.
>> ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST.
>> GOOD JOB.
>> HERE WE GO KIDS.
[SHOUTING] >> GET THERE, BABY!
[SHOUTING] 1, 2, 3.
>> 1, 2, 3 LITTLE LEAGUE.
>> [CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY WVIA] WVIA IS PLEASED TO PRESENT FROM HISTORIC WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA, THE 2025 CHALLENGER DIVISION EXHIBITION GAME FEATURING WYOMING VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE FROM WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA AND NOW, THE LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL WORLD SERIES.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE IN THE STANDS HERE AT VOLUNTEER STADIUM TODAY FOR THIS LITTLE LEAGUE CHALLENGER DIVISION.
TEAMS ARE ON THE FIELD.
THEY CANNOT WAIT TO PLAY.
IT IS SUNNY AND 73 DEGREES.
A PERFECT DAY TO PLAY BASEBALL.
KEN: A PERFECT DAY FOR THE PERFECT GAME.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS EVERY YEAR.
WE DO ALL THE GAMES FOR THE WORLD SERIES FOR RADIO BUT BY FAR THIS IS THE BEST, THE CHALLENGER EXHIBITION GAME.
>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THEM AND LEARN ABOUT THEM.
>> THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONGTIME.
IT IS REALLY COOL TO SEE THE PLAYERS GET THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DO A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME THING AND BE IN FRONT OF FANS AND HAVE THEIR NAME CALLED.
DEFINITELY A SURREAL MOMENT.
THEY LIGHT UP AS SOON AS THEY COME ON THE FIELD.
EVEN WHEN THEY ARE COMING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT, THEY LOVE THE ATTENTION, THEY LOVE GETTING THE SUPPORT FROM THE FANS AND GETTING CHEERED ON AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.
THEY ARE NOT SHY TO TELL YOU THAT.
IT IS REALLY FULFILLING.
>> JUST COMING DOWN AND INTERACTING WITH OTHER KIDS, PLAYERS, OTHER ADULTS, COACHES AND SEE HOW THEY MINGLE WITH EVERYONE.
WORDS CANNOT EXPLAIN IT.
>> IT IS AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE.
FIRST OF ALL, WE LIVE IN A GREAT CITY.
THEY EMBRACE ALL OF OUR CHALLENGER ATHLETES IN EVERYTHING WE DO, THEY SUPPORT US.
THAT IS INCREDIBLE.
THE LITTLE LEAGUE ORGANIZATION HAS EMBRACED THE CHALLENGER DIVISION.
IT IS INCREDIBLE.
I GET MORE OUT OF BEING A COACH THAN THEY GET FROM ME.
I JUST WANT TO SAY GO WOBURN.
I LOVE YOU GUYS.
LET'S HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE WEEKEND.
KEN: LET'S GO TO OUR PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER SEAN KERRY FOR THE MEDAL PRESENTATION.
>> GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND WELCOME TO VOLUNTEER STADIUM FOR THE 2025 CHALLENGER DIVISION EXHIBITION GAME PRESENTED BY EGGLAND'S BEST , FEATURING WOBURN LITTLE LEAGUE CHALLENGER DIVISION FROM WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS.
AND THE WYOMING VALLEY CHALLENGER LITTLE LEAGUE DIVISION FROM WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA.
BEFORE WE INTRODUCE BOTH TEAMS, LET'S GIVE A RECOGNITION TO OUR 2025 TOURNAMENT UMPIRES DOWN THE THIRD-BASE LINE.
GIVE US A WAVE AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
THE MEDALS WILL BE PRESENTED BY CHAIRMAN OF THE LITTLE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS, STEVE JOHNSON WILL BE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT OF LITTLE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL, SAM RANK.
FIRST, LET'S INTRODUCE WOBURN LITTLE LEAGUE CHALLENGER DIVISION FROM WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS.
NUMBER SIX, SHANE BALLECHUCK.
NUMBER SEVEN, CHRISTIAN BOND .
NUMBER 14, SEAMUS.
AUSTIN BROWN.
NUMBER 24, JACK STATELY.
NUMBER 19, BRIELLO.
NUMBER 26, DOMINIC MICK DELANEY.
NUMBER 37, CHARLOTTE ROSA.
NUMBER 23, NATHAN COULD NO.
NUMBER ONE, LYDIA GUTIERREZ.
NUMBER EIGHT, CLARE HARELL.
AND NUMBER 25, MILES HELM.
THE COACHES ARE JESS THOMPKINS AND TONY DIORRA.
AND THE MANAGER, JOHN TOMPKINS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WOBURN LITTLE LEAGUE CHALLENGER DIVISION FROM WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS.
NOW LET'S INTRODUCE THE WYOMING VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE CHALLENGER DIVISION FROM WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA.
NUMBER SIX, MASON PERILLO.
NUMBER ONE, JAMES SCHOLTEN JR.
NUMBER 54, MCKENNA GRANAHAN.
NUMBER 24, MORGAN QUALTERS.
NUMBER EIGHT, MICHAEL PIAZZA.
NUMBER 60, JAMES PERKOWSKI.
NUMBER 21, JAMIE EVANS.
NUMBER SEVEN, BRENDAN MURRAY.
NUMBER 63, BENJAMIN SHAFFER.
NUMBER 95, AYDEN THOMAS.
NUMBER 20, TONY LEPTUCK.
NUMBER FIVE, JACK SANDERS.
NUMBER 23, SEAN SHEDLOCK.
NUMBER 27, CHARLES SEIGER.
AND NUMBER FOUR, JACOB CANFIELD.
THE COACHES, BETH QUALTERS AND JIM QUALTERS.
AND THE MANAGER, LARRY WILLS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WYOMING VALLEY CHALLENGER DIVISION FROM WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA.
NEXT WE WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR SPECIAL HONORARY COACH WHO WILL BE AT THIRD BASE FOR TODAY'S GAME.
HE IS A TWO TIME WORLD SERIES CHAMPION.
LET'S GIVE A WILLIAMSPORT WELCOME TO FORMER NEW YORK YANKEE AND BOSTON RED SOX STAR, JOHNNY DAMON.
AT THIS TIME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO PLEASE RISE IF YOU ARE ABLE AND REMOVE YOUR HATS.
AND WE CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FIELD RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE PITCHER'S MOUND SAY GIVE THE LITTLE LEAGUE PLAYER PLEDGES.
FIRST FROM WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS, JACK.
>> I LOVE GOD, I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND WILL RESPECT EVERYONE.
I WILL PLAY FAIR AND TRY TO WIN.
BUT WIN OR LOSE, I WILL ALWAYS DO MY BEST.
[APPLAUSE] >> JACK FROM WOBURN LITTLE LEAGUE AND JAMES FROM WYOMING VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE.
NOW TO GIVE THE COACH AND PARENT PLEDGE FROM WYOMING VALLEY CHALLENGER LITTLE LEAGUE, JIM QUALTERS.
>> IN THE NAME OF ALL COACHES, I PROMISE I WILL COACH IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE SPIRIT OF TRUE SPORT.
I PLEDGE OUR COMMITMENT TO THE TRUE SPORT PRINCIPAL, WE WANT FAIRNESS, EXCELLENT, INCLUSION AND FUN.
>> PLEASE REMAIN STANDING AS WE CONTINUE TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FRONT OF THE PITCHER'S MOUND TO PERFORM THE "STAR-SPANGLED BANNER."
INTRODUCING CHARLOTTE OF WOBURN LITTLE LEAGUE OF WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS.
PLEASE WELCOME SUSAN AS WE HONOR OUR GREAT NATION WITH OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM.
>> [SINGING] O SAY CAN YOU SEE, BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT, WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAIL'D AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING, WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCH'D WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING?
AND THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE, THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR, GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE, O SAY DOES THAT STAR-SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE?
[SHEERING] >> SUSAN PIE.
>> GREAT JOB BY ALL THE PEOPLE TO GET THE METAL IS PRESENTED.
I LOVE THE WAY THE KIDS LOOKED.
THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN FIST PUMPING.
THEY WERE LOOKING AT THE MEDALS.
KEN: THEY WANTED TO PUT IT ON THEM AND WHY NOT?
IT IS SUCH AN HONOR TO PLAY HERE AT THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES.
THIS IS THE 23RD CHALLENGER GAME AT THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES.
I HAVE TO SAY, IT IS JUST AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE TO SEE THIS IN PERSON.
FOR THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE CHALLENGER PROGRAM, IT IS ADAPTIVE BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL FOUR INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL OR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES.
ALMOST 1000 COMMUNITIES IN 10 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD, ABOUT 30,000 PARTICIPANTS.
THE CHALLENGER PARTICIPANTS TODAY ARE BETWEEN THE AGES OF FOUR AND 22.
THERE IS ALSO A CHALLENGER SENIOR DIVISION FOR FOLKS 23 AND ABOVE.
AND I THINK IT IS VERY APPROPRIATE TO GO OVER THE UNUSUAL RULES FOR THIS GAME, KEN.
KEN: THEY BAT OFF OF A PITCHER AND IF THEY DON'T MAKE CONNECTION IN FIVE SWING, THEN THEY BRING THE TEE OUT.
ALSO THEY GO OUT BASE TO BASE BUT THERE IS A LITTLE MORE TO IT.
LET'S LOOK AT THE STARTING LINEUPS.
MASSACHUSETTS WILL BE VISITING.
SHANE WILL BE LEADING THINGS OFF FOLLOWED BY CHRISTIAN VAUGHN, DOMINIC MICK DELANEY, NATHAN, LYDIA GUTIERREZ, CLARA HAROLD AND MILES HELM WILL BE THE PLAYERS THERE.
THEIR COACHES, JOHN TOMPKINS AND JESS THOMPKINS ARE THE COACHES.
LET'S LOOK AT THE TEAMS OUT OF WILKES-BARRE, TO A CARROT MASON PERILLO, AYDEN THOMAS, BENJAMIN SHAFFER, CHARLES SEIGER AND JACOB CANFIELD ARE THE PLAYERS.
LARRY WILLS IS THE MANAGER AND THE COACHES ARE JIM QUALTERS.
LET'S PLAY SOME BALL!
TOM: LET'S GET GOING.
ABOUT FIVE PITCHES.
IF THE BATTER IS UNSUCCESSFUL, THEY WILL BRING THE TEE OUT.
EVERYBODY PLAYS.
EVERYBODY BATS.
ALL BATTERIES ARE STATE AND BATTERIES USUALLY TAKE ONE BASS AT A TIME.
I SAY USUALLY.
THE LAST BATTER CLEARS THE BASES AND THAT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE.
KEN: SHANE WILL LEAD THINGS OFF.
EACH TEAM HAS BUDDIES THAT WILL HELP THEM.
THESE LEAGUES PLAY, THIS TEAM FROM MASSACHUSETTS, THIS COMMUNITY HAS BETWEEN 40 AND 50 PLAYERS.
THEY PLAY ON SATURDAYS.
HERE IS THE FIRST PITCH.
THEY WILL TRY AGAIN.
TOM: SHANE LIKES TO DO ADVENTURES IN HIS OFF-ROAD WHEELCHAIR.
KEN: THE BALL WAS BOBBLED BY THE PITCHER.
TO THIRD BASE AND HE IS SAFE.
GREAT JOB.
HERE IS CHRISTIAN.
I MET HIM BEFORE THE GAME.
CHRISTIAN SAYS, I AM HITTING OUT OF HERE.
TOM: HE HAS A PLAN.
KEN: IF CHRISTIAN DOES INDEED HIT IT OUT OF HERE, THEY WILL LET HIM RUN.
IF HE HITS THE SHOT, THEY TOLD HIM TO GO AHEAD AND RUN.
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE ONE BASE AT A TIME.
TOM: HE IS POINTING.
HIS NAME IS BOND, CHRISTIAN BOND.
DOUBLE SEVEN IS HIS NICKNAME -- 007 IS HIS NICKNAME.
KEN: INTO THE OUTFIELD.
THEY WERE HAVING A BIG DISCUSSION.
TOM: HE IS GOING.
KEN: HE'S GOING TO KEEP GOING.
TOM: LET'S SEE.
KEN: JOHNNY DAVIS, THE THIRD BASE COACH, THE DISCUSSION WAS DO THEY KEEP CHRISTIANS FROM GOING FAST?
HE GOES, ALL THE WAY AROUND, AN INSIDE THE LOCK HOME RUN FOR CHRISTIAN BOND.
WAY TO GO.
TOM: THAT IS AWESOME.
KEN: THIS CONTINUOUS BATTING ORDER IN LITTLE LEAGUE, YOU GOT TO GET YOUR BEST HITTERS OF EARLY BECAUSE IN A REGULAR GAME, THEY WOULD FIELD THE BALL AND PLAYING DIFFERENT THAN THEY ARE HERE.
HIS FAVORITE PLAYER IS DAVID ORTIZ.
NOTICE THE UNIFORM NUMBERS FOR THE PLAYERS FROM MASSACHUSETTS ARE BASED ON THE 1975 BOSTON RED SOX, CONSIDERED ONE OF THE GREATEST WORLD SERIES WHERE THEY PLAYED THE CINCINNATI REDS.
HERE IS SEAMUS.
HE FOULS IT OFF BACK THIS WAY BUT HE IS RUNNING.
ARE THEY GOING TO SEND HIM BACK?
THEY ARE HAVING A DISCUSSION.
TOM: HE IS WEARING NUMBER 14, THAT NUMBER WAS WARNED BY JIM RICE IN THE CLASSIC 1975 WORLD SERIES THAT THE REDS WON IN SEVEN GAMES AND OF COURSE EVERYONE REMEMBERS GAME SIX.
KEN: THERE WERE SIX FUTURE HALL OF FAMERS WHO PLAYED IN THAT GAME.
FOULED BACK.
SEAMUS, HIS BUDDY IS STANDING BACK TO THE SIDE.
FOULED UP TO HIS HELMET.
TOM: SEAMUS IS KNOWN AS WIKIPEDIA, BY THE WAY.
KEN: THE PENNSYLVANIA FIELDERS ARE PICKING THAT UP IN A HURRY AND GETTING IT BACK IN.
MASON PERILLO GAVE IT BACK TO THE PITCHER.
HERE IS AUSTIN BROWN COMING UP.
TOM: AUSTIN IS KNOWN AS CASANOVA BECAUSE HE IS A LADIES MAN.
KEN: AH.
IT WAS INTERESTING TO WATCH THE CHALLENGER PLAYERS COME INTO THE STADIUM TODAY.
OBVIOUSLY THEY DO NOT GET TO PLAY IN A STADIUM LIKE THIS, ON A FIELD OF THIS QUALITY.
AND ALL OF THESE PEOPLE AROUND.
THEY WERE HAVING A GREAT TIME HAVING THEIR FIXTURES TAKEN.
GOOD ONE.
RIGHT BACK UP THE MIDDLE, OVER THE MOUND.
NOW AUSTIN WILL GET BACK IN AND HEAD ON DOWN THE FIRST BASE.
TOM: GOOD JOB THERE, YOUNG MAN.
AUSTIN ALSO LIKES TO SKIP ROCKS IN THE POND.
KEN: I NOTICED THAT, YES.
I WAS WATCHING SOMETHING RECENTLY WHERE THEY WERE HAVING A CLASS AT ONE OF THE LOCAL LAKES TO BE ABLE TO TEACH THAT.
TOM: WOW.
KEN: HERE'S JACK GATELY COMING UP.
HIS FAVORITE FOOD IS PIZZA AND INTERESTING, HIS FAVORITE PBS SHOW IS "PLANET EARTH."
TOM: HE ALSO LOVES TO SURF.
THAT MIGHT BE THE FIRST TIME WE HAD A CHALLENGER PARTICIPANT PUT THAT DOWN ON THEIR INFO SHEET.
KEN: EVEN THOUGH WE HAD THE TEAM FROM CALIFORNIA COME IN.
HE WILL MISS THE FIRST ONE.
QUITE A GOOD PITCHER SETTING THINGS UP.
BACK IN THE BATTING BOX.
HE HAS BACKED UP A TOUCH.
HE WILL TRY ANOTHER ONE.
THEY HAVE A CATCHER BACK THERE WHO IS BEHIND THE UMPIRE AND THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES UMPIRES ARE HERE TO ASSIST THE GAME.
TOM: THEY WILL ROTATE THROUGHOUT THE GAME WORKING DIFFERENT BASES.
THIS IS A HIGHLIGHT FOR THE UMPIRES AS WELL.
KEN: GOING TO TRY ONE MORE.
HE IS GETTING A LITTLE COACHING.
THIS IS WHAT THIS LEVEL IS ALL ABOUT, INTERACTING WITH THE PLAYERS BUT THOSE SMILES ON THE FACES.
TOM: JACK IS KNOWN AS SMILING.
SO HE HAS A PERMANENT SMILE ON HIS FACE UP THERE.
I THINK NOW WE ARE GOING TO GO TO THE TEE.
KEN: NOT QUITE YET.
TOM: OK. KEN: THEY ARE GETTING READY.
NOW THEY ARE GOING TO BRING IT OUT.
THEY ARE GOING TO BRING THE TEE OUT, WHICH IS VERY HELPFUL.
YOU LEARN YOUR SWING AND BE ABLE TO SET IT UP.
THERE YOU GO.
STRAIGHT TO THE SECOND BASEMAN.
KNOCKED DOWN BY THE PENNSYLVANIA DEFENSE AND THEY WILL THROW IT OVER THE FIRST BASE BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY WOULD DO AT A REGULAR CHALLENGER GAME AND WHEN THE UMPIRE SAYS YOU ARE SAFE AT FIRST.
YOU CAN SEE JOHNNY DAMON, TWO TIME WORLD SERIES CHAMPION.
THIS IS PRE-ALA -- BRIELLA, JUST TROTTING UP THERE.
TOM: I LOVE IT.
SHE PUT DOWN WHAT SHE LIKES TO DO BESIDE BASEBALL, SWINGING AT THE PLAYGROUND, SOARING THROUGH THE AIR AND SOAKING IN NATURE.
KEN: YOU CAN SEE HOW THINGS GET ADAPTED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT A SUCCESS.
THAT IS WHAT THE POINT IS.
THE SUCCESS IS HAVING SMILES ON THE FACE.
TOM: GOOD JOB.
SHE'S TAKING OFF DOWN THE FIRST BASE.
KEN: BRIELLA GOES TO FIRST BASE.
COMING IN A IS SEAMUS FISKER.
THERE YOU SEE HIM.
HE HELPS THE UMPIRE.
AS THEY ENJOY A MAGNIFICENT OPPORTUNITY HERE.
NOW WE HAVE THE TEAMS PLAYING IN THIS GAME.
THEY HAD A GAME OF THE ORIGINAL FIELD YESTERDAY WHERE THEY WORKED OUT.
SOME OF THE PLAYERS WHERE, YOU HAVE SEEN THE ICONIC HILL HERE AT LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES.
SOME OF THEM WERE SLIDING DOWN THE HILL YESTERDAY.
HERE IS DOMINIC COMING UP TO BAT FOR THE RIGHT SIDE.
THIS IS THE SECOND TEAM FROM MASSACHUSETTS TO APPEAR IN THE CHALLENGER GAINS.
THE OTHER TEAM WAS FROM A NEARBY DISTRICT ABOUT 10 MILES AWAY.
AND THEY GAVE THEM HELP WITH WHAT TO EXPECT.
DOMINIC, WE WILL SEE WHAT HE CAN DO.
TOM: HIS FAVORITE FOOD, GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH.
SOUNDS VERY GOOD.
KEN: YES, IT DOES.
EVEN THE UMPIRE IS HELPING TO BE A CATCHER TODAY.
DOMINIC WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE ALONG.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO START A CHALLENGER PROGRAM, YOU CAN EMAIL CHALLENGER@LITTLELEAGUE .ORG SO YOU CAN GET IN ON THE FUN THAT THESE KIDS HAVE ON A WEEKLY BASES.
TOM: IT IS AMAZING TO SEE THE GROWTH OF THE CHALLENGER PROGRAM THAT ONLY IN THE UNITED STATES BUT IN NINE OTHER COUNTRIES AS WELL.
KEN: IT STARTED IN 1989 AS A PROGRAM.
THAT WAS WELL BEFORE THIS CHALLENGER EXHIBITION GAME STARTED.
TOM: HE'S NOT GIVING UP.
KEN: HE'S GOING TO STAY IN THERE.
ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO.
TOM: DOMINIC LOVES TRAVELING AND SWIMMING AS WELL.
KEN: A LOT OF SWIMMERS ON THESE TEAMS.
WHOOPS.
TOM: THEY HAD A POOL PARTY.
KEN: THERE YOU GO.
HE HIT THE HARD ONE.
DRAWS ON DOWN THE FIRST BASE -- DOWN TO FIRST BASE.
AS EVERYBODY ROTATES ON THIS TEAM FROM WOBURN.
TOM: BOTH TEAMS YESTERDAY HAD A POOL PARTY AT THE LOCAL YMCA.
THEY ALSO GOT TO ENGAGE IN TRADING AND THEY HAD A GREAT TIME AND THIS JUST CAPS OFF.
KEN: THEY WERE ALSO ABLE TO OPEN UP THE GYM IN OTHER AREAS SO THEY COULD DO SOME OTHER THINGS.
OH MY GOODNESS.
CHARLOTTE GETS UP THERE AND POUNDS THE PLATE.
TOM: SHE RECENTLY DIED HER HAIR SO SHE IS KNOWN AS RAINBOW.
TO MATCH THE HAIR COLOR.
KEN: THAT IS NOT UNLIKE ONE OF THE PLAYERS IN THE WORLD SERIES.
ONE OF THE PLAYERS FROM JAPAN, THE TOP OF HIS HEAD WAS RED AND HE HAD THE JAPANESE FLAG IN THE BACK OF HIS HEAD.
A NICE HIT BY CHARLIE.
AND THE RUNNERS COME IN TO SCORE.
JACK GATELY COMES IN TO SCORE.
CHARLOTTE WITH A HOT ONE TO THE CORNER.
TOM: I THINK CHARLOTTE IS ONE OF THE FASTEST ONES ON THE TEAM.
KEN: LIKES TO RUN OBVIOUSLY.
TOM: OBVIOUSLY, DOWN TO FIRST BASE.
KEN: NONE OF THIS WAITING AROUND STUFF.
LET'S GET GOING.
HERE IS NATHAN.
I LIKE WHAT HE LIKES, CHICKEN PARMESAN.
TOM: AND ARTHUR, ONE OF MY FAVORITE PBS SHOWS.
YOU KNOW WHO HE LIKES TO LISTEN TO MUSIC WISE?
KEN: NO.
TOM: JOHNNY CASH.
KEN: JOHNNY CASH, HOW ABOUT THAT?
HE'S RIGHT.
TOM: NATHAN IS THE TEAM CAPTAIN.
KEN: HIS 23 NUMBER RESPONSE TO THAT 1975 TEAM.
HERE IS NATHAN, READY TO GO.
I'M JUST IN AWE OF THE COACHES AND MANAGERS OF THESE TEAMS AND HOW MUCH TIME THEY SPEND AND THE BUDDIES TRYING TO HELP THEM.
TOM: SO MUCH TIME SPENT BEHIND THE SCENES, KEN.
KEN: ORGANIZING THINGS, GETTING TEAMS GOING, GETTING A PLACE WHERE TEAMS CAN PLAY.
NOW AFTER NATHAN PUMPED THE CROWD UP, HE IS TRYING TO PUMP THEM UP WITH THE BAT.
YOU CAN SEE HIS BUDDY OFF TO THE SIDE TRYING TO HELP.
TOM: AND THAT'S HIS MOM.
KEN: WHEN A WONDERFUL -- WHAT A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY IT IS FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE PARENTS AND THE COACHES AND THE PEOPLE AROUND THEM TO BE ABLE TO SPEND HIS TIME WITH THEM IN A UNIQUE SETTING OF HELPING TO ACHIEVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
TOM: IT LETS THEM EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF BASEBALL.
KEN: IT IS SOMETHING TO REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO EACH WEEK DURING THE SEASON.
THAT'S A GOOD ONE.
DOWN TOWARD FIRST BASE, THE SECOND BASEMAN CHARGES.
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET THERE IN TIME.
HERE COMES BRIELLA IN FISKER.
-- IN TO SCORE.
LYDIA GUTIERREZ COMES UP NEXT.
LYDIA, WEARING NUMBER ONE.
TOM: KNOWN AS LG.
KEN: APPROPRIATELY.
TOM: WHEN WE TALK TO THE PARENTS, WE DO THIS EVERY YEAR, A BIG SMILE COMES TO THEIR FACE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT PLAYING CHALLENGER HAS ON THEIR KIDS.
KEN: LYDIA HITS IT RIGHT DOWN THE THIRD BASE LINE.
THE UMPIRE SAYS IT IS A FAIR BALL.
TOM: HAVE NOT SEEN THAT BEFORE.
KEN: DOMINIC PICKS THE BALL UP AND TOSSES IT BACK TO THE PITCHER ON THE WAY TO HOME.
TOM: VERY HELPFUL, DOMINIC.
KEN: THAT'S RIGHT.
LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES WE HAVE SEVERAL OF THE TEAMS HERE IN ATTENDANCE -- WE HAVE SEVERAL OF THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES TEAMS IN ATTENDANCE.
HERE IS CLAIRE COMING UP TO BAT FOR THIS TEAM FROM WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS.
NOT FAR FROM BOSTON.
I'M SURE WHEN THEY FOUND OUT THAT COACH DAMON WAS GOING TO BE HERE, WE SAW FOLKS ALREADY TAKING SELFIES WITH HIM.
TOM: CLAIRE ENJOYS TRAVELING, SINGS IN THE CHOIR AND LOVES TO SHOP.
TOM: OH MY.
THAT BALL WILL SMOKED BY THE THIRD BASE SIDE AND RUNNERS ADVANCE.
GOOD JOB, CLAIRE.
DID NOT WASTE TIME.
CLAIRE GOT IT GOING.
TOM: HERE WE GO.
BASES ARE JAMMED.
LAST BATTER OF.
KEN: MILES HELM WILL COME UP TO TRY TO CLEAN THE BASES.
TOM: THIS YOUNG MAN LIKES TO BREAKDANCE.
KEN: ALSO LIKES TO PLAY VIDEO GAMES.
TOM: AND PEPPERONI PIZZA IS HIS FAVE.
KEN: I NOTICED THAT FOR SOME OF IT WAS JUST PIZZA BUT THERE WERE A COUPLE OF FOLKS THAT SAID PEPPERONI PIZZA.
TOM: THERE WAS ONE PLAYER WHO JUST SAID PEPPERONI.
KEN: HERE IS MILES.
TOM: HE'S GOING TO CLEAR THE BASES.
KEN: THE WAY THE PITCHER SHOWS THE BALL, MAKES SURE THEY SEE IT SO THEY KNOW WHAT IS COMING.
TOSSES IT UP THERE.
PITCHING HAS TO BE ONE OF THE MORE CHALLENGING THINGS TO DO.
PITCH TO YOUR OWN TEAM.
YOU SEE HOW CLOSE THE PITCHER HAS MOVED IN.
TOM: TALKING TO JOHN TOMPKINS YESTERDAY IT WAS JOKING HOW SOMETIMES IN THE SUMMER TIME HE GETS NAILED BY BALLS BECAUSE HE IS SO CLOSE.
HE DOES NOT MIND.
KEN: THEY CHANGE BATS.
THEY WILL GO FROM THE COLORFUL BAT TO THE MORE SUBDUED BACK.
TOM: I THINK THAT IS THE STICK THAT THEY JUST WENT TO.
I SHOULD POINT OUT THAT SOME OF THE AMERICAN TEAMS HAVE DONE THAT THIS WEEK AT THE WORLD SERIES.
THEY GET THE NEW BATS WHEN THEY COME HERE, THEY TRY THEM OUT, IF THEY DON'T LIKE THE RESULTS, THEY GO BACK TO THEIR REGULAR BAT.
KEN: WE HAVE SEEN THAT ON THE INTERNATIONAL SIDE AS WELL.
KEEP GOING, MILES.
YOU CAN DO IT.
TOM: OH, HE WILL.
KEN: MILES HELM.
DOWN THE FIRST-BASE LINE.
HERE WE GO.
THEY ARE GOING TO TOUCH THEM ALL.
YOU CAN SEE NATHAN COME IN AND SCORE.
TOM: WE GOT TO FIRST BASE AND THEY SAID NO, KEEP GOING MILES!
KEN: NOW LYDIA IS GOING TO SCORE.
CLAIRE IS COMING IN.
FINALLY MILES.
TOM: ONE MORE, MILES!
KEN: KEEP ON GOING.
TOM: JOHNNY HELPING HIM HOME.
KEN: THE TEAM FROM WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS LITTLE LEAGUE, THE CHALLENGER TEAM.
YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE CROWD ENJOYING THIS TEAM AND GIVING THEM A WELL-DESERVED STANDING OVATION HERE AT VOLUNTEER STADIUM.
SO, TOM, WHAT DID WE LEARN FROM THAT FIRST AT-BAT?
TOM: WE HAVE TWO EXCELLENT TEAMS HERE.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT.
KEN: YOU ARE WATCHING THE 2025 CHALLENGER DIVISION EXHIBITION GAME.
NOW LET'S GO TO A PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER SEAN CAREY FOR A SPECIAL PRESENTATION.
SEAN: AS THE OFFICIAL EGG LITTLE LEAGUE EGGLAND'S BEST IS PROUD TO FUEL LITTLE LEAGUERS TO BE THEIR BEST ON AND OFF THE FIELD.
EGGLAND'S BEST IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING THE LITTLE LEAGUE CHALLENGER DIVISION THROUGH A GRANT PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS THE OPERATION OF LOCAL CHALLENGER LEAGUES.
JOINING US TO CELEBRATE ALL PARTICIPANTS TODAY IS EGGLAND'S BEST PRESIDENT AND CEO PRESENT EACH LEAGUE PARTICIPATING WITH A DONATION COURTESY OF EGLIN'S BEST TO HELP OFFSET TRAVEL COSTS AND TO BE USED FOR FUTURE LEAGUE ACTIVITIES FOR $15,000.
KEN: WE ARE HERE AT THE CHALLENGER EXHIBITION GAME AT VOLUNTEER STADIUM IN WILLIAMSPORT ON THIS SPECTACULAR DAY.
NOW THE WYOMING VALLEY TEAM WILL GET IT SELF.
WHY DON'T WE MEET THE WYOMING VALLEY CHALLENGER BASEBALL TEAM TO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE AS FAR AS THEIR BATTING ORDER AND THEY ARE TEAM THAT WE NEED TO LEARN ABOUT.
LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN LEARN ABOUT THE WYOMING VALLEY CHALLENGING LITTLE LEAGUE.
>> WELCOME TO THE HOME OF YOUR WYOMING VALLEY CHALLENGER BASEBALL.
>> WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE BALL?
>> RUN AROUND THE BASES.
>> YOU'RE RIGHT.
>> HIT THE BALL VERY HIGH INTO THE AIR.
>> I CAN BE SO VERY HAPPY.
>> FOR THESE KIDS, IT IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE.
YOU GET TO LEARN TO CELEBRATE SMALL VICTORIES AND SMALL SUCCESSES AND THIS IS HUGE TO THESE KIDS.
>> THIS IS OUR REASON.
WE ARE ALWAYS OUT IN THE WORLD TRYING TO HELP HIM CONFORM TO THE WORLD AND THE WORLD CONFORM TO HIM, THESE KIDS CAN DO THESE THINGS BUT IN A DIFFERENT MANNER.
IT IS A DREAM COME TRUE.
>> I'M GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES.
>> WHAT WE DID TODAY, FRIDAY, 5:00.
STEVE CALLS ME, JUST GOT AN EMAIL.
WE WERE SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CHALLENGER EXHIBITION GAME AT THE WORLD SERIES.
>> WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BASEBALL?
>> BATTING.
>> CAN YOU GET THE HOME RUN?
>> YES.
>> I'M EXCITED FOR YOU.
>> YES.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE INCLUSION OF BEING ABLE TO PLAY LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL, THE KIDS AND THE HOME THAT THEY HAVE, EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
KEN: AS WE LEARNED ABOUT OUR TWO TEAMS, TOM, YOU CAN SEE ALL THE LOVE THAT GOES ON AND HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO THE PLAYERS AND FAMILIES NOT ONLY TO HAVE AN ACTIVITY BUT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HAVE THE LOVE SHOWN ON A REGULAR BASES.
TOM: AND TO BE WITH SO MANY OTHER KIDS AND THEY HAVE ONE BIG SUPERGROUP, SO TO SPEAK -- ONE BIG SUPPORT GROUPS, THAT IS WHAT THE TEAM IS.
TO FEEL INCLUDED IS SO IMPORTANT.
KEN: LET'S GO WYOMING VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE HAS ABOUT 140 PLAYERS.
THEY HAVE THREE DIVISIONS IN WILKES-BARRE.
THEY WILL LEAD OFF WITH MASON PERILLO.
HE WILL BE THE LEADOFF BATTER TODAY.
AS HE GETS SET, JIM QUALTERS AND PITCHING AS WE GET THE WYOMING VALLEY TEAM READY TO GO.
TOM: THERE YOU GO.
HE IS GOING TO.
KEN: COACH BETH SAYS RUN.
THE BUDDY ASKED TO RUN TO KEEP UP.
TOM: THAT'S AWESOME.
KEN: HERE IS JAMES SCHOLTEN JR. WHO COMES UP.
YOU HAVE SEEN PLAYERS HERE IN WYOMING VALLEY WHERE THEY HAVE THE THREE DIVISIONS, THE MINORS, THE MAJORS AND THE SENIORS AND YOU WILL SEE SOME DIFFERENT PLAYERS.
THAT IS WHY YOU WILL SEE SOME AGE ADJUSTMENTS AS WELL.
JAMES, UNDER THE RIGHT HAND BATTER.
TO THE FENCES.
TOM: I'M GOING TO HIT IT OUT OF HERE, LET'S SEE IT, JAMES!
KEN: SWING.
TOM: THAT MIGHT HAVE CONNECTED.
KEN: THE CROWD IS GETTING INTO IT.
OOOH, FROM THE CROWD.
TOM: I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT HIS FAVORITE FOOD IS CRAB LEGS.
KEN: IT'S THE PLATE, READY TO GO.
ONE RUNNER ON, SECOND BATTER IN THE ORDER.
TOM: COME ON, JAMES.
ALL RIGHT.
KEN: HEAD DOWN DOWN TO FIRST BASE.
MASON HEADS TO SECOND.
THAT WILL BRING UP MCKENNA GRANAHAN.
YOU CAN TELL GEOGRAPHICALLY WHEN YOU SEE THE PLAYERS UP THERE, THE TEAM FROM MASSACHUSETTS AND THE TEAM FROM PENNSYLVANIA, WHERE SOME OF THE ALLEGIANCES LIE.
TOM: PENNSYLVANIA FOLKS PUT DOWN BRYCE HARPER AS THEIR FAVORITE PLAYER.
MASSACHUSETTS, THEY PREFER DAVID ORTIZ, BIG PAPI.
KEN: THAT'S A GOOD SWING FROM MCKENNA GRANAHAN.
TOM: MCKENNA LIKES CHICKEN AND PIZZA.
KEN: OH, THE COACH GETS IT RIGHT IN THE FACE.
OH MY GOODNESS, MCKENNA.
THE BASES ARE LOADED.
TOM: I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE FIRST TIME THAT HAPPENED.
KEN: IT'S NOT.
HE SHAKES IT OFF.
HERE IS MORGAN QUALTERS.
MORGAN QUALTERS COMES UP.
I THINK THIS IS THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD WE HAVE EVER HAD HERE AT THE CHALLENGER GAME.
TOM: IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE.
KEN: IT'S THE FIRST PITCH SHARPLY TO SHORTSTOP.
AND THE BASES ARE LOADED AND MASON COMES IN TO SCORE.
A FAMILIAR NAME BUT MAYBE NOT THE FACE, MICHAEL PIAZZA IS COMING UP.
TOM: I LOVE HOW HE PUT HIS FAVORITE BASEBALL PLAYER IS MIKE PIAZZA, NO RELATION.
FURIED INTO THE STANDS.
KEN: MICHAEL WAS VERY ENTHUSIASTIC WHEN HE GOT THE MEDAL.
HUGE SMILE ON THE FACE.
HE IS HITTING IT.
GO TO FIRST, NOT THIRD, MICHAEL.
THERE YOU GO.
JAMES SCHOLTEN JR. COMES IN TO THE CELEBRATE AT HOME PLATE.
THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY.
HERE AT THE CHALLENGER EXHIBITION GAME AS JAMES PERKOWSKI COMES UP TO BAT.
THROUGH THE YEARS, THE 23RD, AS JAMES COMES UP, 17 STATES HAVE BEEN REPRESENTED HERE IN TWO PROVINCES OF CANADA.
THIS YEAR THE PENNSYLVANIA TEAM FROM WILKES-BARRE, A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN A 2 HOUR DRIVE TO BE HERE.
THE MASSACHUSETTS TEAM, MORE LIKE A 7 HOUR DRIVE TO BE HERE.
THAT IS WHY THEY ARE SO MANY EVENTS.
THERE WILL BE MORE EVENTS AFTER THIS GAME AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE GAMES AT THE STADIUM LATER TODAY.
PERKOWSKI MISSES THE FIRST.
CHOPPED OUT TOWARD SECOND BASE, THE FIRST BASE SIDE OF THE PITCHER'S MOUND.
ANOTHER ONE WILL SCORE.
TOM: JAMES EXCITED TO GET DOWN THERE TO FIRST.
KEN: WE SAW THE EGGLAND'S BEST CHECK PRESENTATION AND THEY HAVE GIVEN MONEY TO CHALLENGER PROGRAMS ELSEWHERE AND PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO THIS PROGRAM.
HERE IS JAMIE EVANS COMING UP TO BAT.
JAMIE EVANS, THE NEXT BATTER.
TOM: HE PLAYS ON THE SENIOR BLUE TEAM BACK IN WILKES-BARRE.
ANOTHER ONE LIKES CHICKEN AND PIZZA, CHICKEN NUGGETS.
JAMIE ALSO LOVES TO BE OUTSIDE WITH ANIMALS.
KEN: JAMIE EVANS.
MOM KRISTIN, HELPING AS A BUDDY.
TOM: IN SIX YEARS, THIS WYOMING VALLEY PROGRAM HAS GROWN FROM ABOUT 35 PLAYERS TO 140, WHICH IS AMAZING.
KEN: THEY PLAY AND WHEN THEY PLAY THEY HAVE A LOT OF EXCITEMENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE DIFFERENT DIVISIONS AND THEY ARE ABLE TO GET A BUNCH OF GAMES IN AT ONE TIME.
NOT ONLY DO YOU ADMIRE THE EFFORTS OF WORKING WITH THE PLAYERS, BUT YOU HAVE TO RAISE FUNDS, DO SO MANY THINGS, GET THE FIELD READY.
THERE IS SO MUCH BEHIND THE SCENES WORK.
THERE IS A BUNHT.
-- BUNT.
GOOD JOB, JAMIE.
HEADING ON DOWN.
THE DESIGNATED HITTER FOR THE ALL-STAR GAME THIS YEAR HAS A CONNECTION.
HE IS A BIG SUPPORTER AS BRANDON MARY COMES UP TO BAT.
IT IS A BIG SUPPORTER OF THE ANGELS LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM IN SUBURBAN PHILLY AND THEY PRESENTED HIM WITH AN ORANGE BAT WITH ALL OF THEIR AUTOGRAPHS AT THIS YEAR'S ALL-STAR GAME.
OF COURSE HE GOT TRADED TO SAN DIEGO.
NOT ONLY IS CONNECTED THROUGH HIS AGENT, BUT THE PHILLIES MATT STRAHM IS ALSO CONNECTED THROUGH HIS AGENT AND THEY WILL FIND THEMSELVES WORKING WITH THAT CHALLENGER PROGRAM AS MUCH AS THEY CAN.
TOM: THE NEXT BATTER BRENDAN MURRAY IS CERTAINLY CONNECTED WITH AVANS KEN: THE SLIDES A HARD DOWN TOWARD SHORTSTOP.
SLIDE INTO FIRST BASE.
TOM: WHAT HAPPENED WITH THAT WYOMING VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE, ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO THE CITY OF WILKES-BARRE LEASED THE FIELD FOR ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR AND THAT SPARKED A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT ABOUT FUND $200,000 OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND DONATIONS, MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, ETC.
IT IS THE REASON THIS PROGRAM HAS GROWN SO MUCH IN A RELATIVELY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.
KEN: BENJAMIN SHAFFER IS COMING UP NEXT.
TWIRLING HIS BAT.
BRENDAN MURRAY IS FINE.
WE DID NOT HAVE TO BRING THE MEDICAL TEAM OUT TO LOOK.
I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT THAT ONE OF THE BODIES FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS TEAM WAS HELPING THE BUDDY FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA TEAM GET HIM UP AND GET HIM TO FIRST BASE.
HERE IS BENJAMIN.
ARE YOU READY, BENJAMIN?
HE WANTS TO LOOK AROUND.
HE'S POINTING TO THE CROWD.
HEH, I KNOW YOU UP THERE.
BENJAMIN HAS FANS.
TOM: BENJAMIN NEEDS WALK UP MUSIC I THINK.
HE LOVES ROCK CONCERTS.
THEY SHOULD DO THAT.
KEN: WHAT WE HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT IS POSSIBLY DOING IT FOR THE FINAL FOUR THAT WAY YOU WILL HAVE HUNDREDS OF PLAYERS TO WORK ON BUT THEY DID HAVE WALK-IN MUSIC FOR THE TEAMS IN THE OPENING CEREMONY.
TOM: I'M TALKING ABOUT WALK UP MUSIC FOR THIS GAME.
KEN: WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE SAM WORK ON THAT.
HE IS THE HEAD OF THE CHALLENGER DIVISION.
WHILE BENJAMIN FOCUSES ON GETTING READY.
POUND THE PLATE, HERE'S THE PITCH.
TOM: HE'S GOT THIS.
KEN: OH, A HARD-HIT BALL.
RIGHT BY SHORTSTOP AS THE RUNNERS ADVANCED.
HERE COMES PERKOWSKI TO SCORE.
JAMES PERKOWSKI TOUCHES THE PLATE.
I GOT IT.
TOM: NO DOUBT, NO DOUBT.
KEN: NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.
HERE IS AYDEN THOMAS.
AYDEN THOMAS WAS ALSO TALKING ABOUT LAUNCHING ONE HERE.
TOM: HE IS TAKING HIS TIME.
HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO.
HE LIKES SHRIMP AND STEAK HIBACHI.
KEN: I LOVE THE NUMBERS FOR THIS WYOMING VALLEY.
HE HITS IT RIGHT AWAY.
TOM, YOU WILL HAVE TO GO OUT AND FIELD THAT BALL.
JOHNNY DAMON FIELDED AS EVIDENCE COMES IN TO SCORE, JAMIE EVANS -- AS EVANS COMES IN TO SCORE, JAMIE EVANS.
THIS WILL BRING UP TONY LEPTUCK.
TONY LEPTUCK I SHOULD SAY.
HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE LAST SUNDAY.
PETE ALONSO WAS HERE.
TOM: THAT'S RIGHT.
HE WAS GREAT WITH THE KIDS TOO.
KEN: THEY ARE STARTING TO GET A CROWD, A CHANGE GETTING GOING IN THE CROWD NOW.
THIS IS FUN.
TOM: TONY LIKES TO COLLECT PLUSHIES AND HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS.
KEN: RIGHT ON THE THIRD BASE SIDE.
KEEPING THE BALL IN PLAY.
THERE IS BRENDAN MURRAY.
TOM: HE'S GOING TO DIVE INTO HOME PLATE.
KEN: NO, HE'S GOING TO STEP ON THE PLATE.
THEN HE'S GOING TO REACH DOWN AND TOUCH IT WITH HIS HANDS.
ALL RIGHT.
THE CROWD HAS GROWN SINCE THE GAME STARTED.
TOM: THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST CROWD WE HAVE HAD.
KEN: ABSOLUTELY.
JACK SANDERS STEPS IN.
ANOTHER BRYCE HARPER FAN.
WHICH IS INTERESTING BECAUSE IN THE WILKES-BARRE AREA.
HE IS GOING TO POKE IT AND RUN DOWN THIS WAY.
WHAT A SLIDE INTO HOME BY BENJAMIN SHAFFER.
TOM: TAKING THE HELMET OFF.
KEN: PLAYING TO THE CROWD.
THEY HAVE THE YANKEES AAA TEAM IN WILKES-BARRE BUT NOT A LOT OF PHILLIES FANS IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA.
RIGHT DOWN TO THIRD BASE.
TWO MORE BATTERS COMING UP FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA TEAM FOR WYOMING VALLEY.
RACING UP THERE TO THE BAT IS CHARLES SEIGER.
TOM: THEY ALL WANT TO GET THEIR CUTS IN.
THAT'S FOR SURE.
KEN: CHARLES IS A LEFT-HANDED BATTER.
TOM: HE LIKES HEALTHY FOOD.
HIS FAVORITE FOOD IS RICE.
KEN: I LIKE RICE.
IS THE BALL -- HERE IS THE BALL.
DOWN THE FIRST BASE SIDE.
IT IS GOING TO STAY IN THERE.
IT IS GOING TO GO.
AND ANOTHER RUN COMES IN AS TONY COMES IN.
THE LAST BATTER FOR THIS BALLCLUB FROM WILKES-BARRE, JACOB CANFIELD WILL COME UP.
HE IS THE PEPPERONI GUY.
NOT PEPPERONI PIZZA, PEPPERONI.
WAVES TO THE CROWD.
KEN: OUR PEPPERONI MAN.
READY TO GO.
TOM: TAKE A LOOK'S VIDEO GAMES AND OLD CONSOLES -- HE COLLECTS VIDEO GAMES AND OLD CONSOLES.
KEN: THE FIRST BASEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS EXIT UPDATED THE RUNNERS ARE STILL GOING.
THEY ARE STILL RUNNING.
THE UMPIRES ARE RUNNING WITH THEM.
THEY WILL BE AT HOME PLATE TO WELCOME IN JACOB CANFIELD.
AND JACOB COMES IN AND EVERYBODY SAYS HE IS SAFE.
ALL RIGHT, GOOD TEAMWORK BY EVERYBODY AND THE UMPIRE STAFF.
YOU CAN SEE THIS BIG CROWD AT VOLUNTEER STADIUM TODAY HERE IN SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT IN THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES.
WHAT A GAME BETWEEN WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS AND WYOMING VALLEY OUT OF WILKES-BARRE AS THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE JOB DONE.
GREAT EFFORT BY EVERYBODY FOR THIS FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY HERE.
I DID NOT GET A CHANCE TO ASK TOM SPICER MY TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE GAME.
IN THE BEGINNING, WE HAD ALL PENNSYLVANIA TEAMS.
JOHNNY DAMON WAVING TO THE GROUND.
WHO WAS THE FIRST NON-PENNSYLVANIA TEAM TO PLAY IN THE CHALLENGER EXHIBITION GAME HERE AT THE WORLD SERIES?
TOM: WHEN WAS THE FIRST?
KEN: THE FIRST ONE WAS 2001.
TOM: I WILL SAY 2006.
KEN: I'M SAYING WHERE DID THEY COME FROM.
I WASN'T CLEAR.
TOM: WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?
YOU KNOW WHAT, I WILL SAY NEW JERSEY.
KEN: WHERE DID YOU SAY?
TOM: NEW JERSEY.
KEN: NO.
THE FIRST NON-PENNSYLVANIA TEAM TO PLAY WAS IN 2004 FROM CANTON, OHIO.
THROUGH THE YEARS, THIS IS THE 16TH PENNSYLVANIA TEAM TO PLAY HERE.
NEXT IS NEW JERSEY.
THEY HAVE FOUR TEAMS.
TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA HAVE HAD THREE TEAMS HERE.
TWO TEAMS EACH FROM MASSACHUSETTS, INDIANA, RHODE ISLAND, VIRGINIA AND OHIO AND ONE TEAM FROM GEORGIA, MARYLAND, ARIZONA, LOUISIANA, NORTH CAROLINA, ILLINOIS, MICHIGAN AND COLORADO.
WE HAVE ONE TEAM EACH FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ONTARIO.
TOM: IT KEEPS GROWING.
ABOUT 30,000 PARTICIPANTS WORLDWIDE, 10 COUNTRIES, 1000 COMMUNITIES.
IT STARTED SO SMALL IN 1989 AND HAS GROWN TREMENDOUSLY SINCE THEN.
THIS GAME HAS BEEN BROADCAST SINCE 2011.
WE HOPE TO BE BACK AGAIN IN 2026 TO GIVE THESE KIDS THE SHOWCASE THEY DESERVE.
KEN: YOU CAN SEE THE PENNSYLVANIA TEAM WAVING TO THE CROWD AND THEIR SUPPORTERS WITH THEIR SIGNS IN THE STANDS WITH THEIR NAMES ON THEM.
I CAN SEE SEVERAL OF THEM, JACOB AND CHARLES.
ALL THE FOLKS IN THE STANDS WHO HAD A GREAT TIME ENJOYING THIS GAME TODAY HERE IN THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES.
THE GAME IS OVER.
THE TEAMS YOU ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW IF YOU LOOK OUT ON THE FIELD, SEVERAL OF THE LITTLE LEAGUE TEAMS HAVE PLAYED IN THE WORLD SERIES HERE AND THEY ARE COMING OUT TO MEET WITH THE CHALLENGER PLAYERS.
TOM: THAT'S WONDERFUL.
A LOT OF THE CHALLENGER PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE LITTLE LEAGUERS ARE THE BUDDIES IN THE CHALLENGER PROGRAM.
THEY PARTICIPATE.
IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT LIFE LESSON FOR THEM AS WELL.
MICKEY MOUSE IS EVEN MAKING AN APPEARANCE.
KEN: TOM SPICER AND I AM KEN SAWYER.
WE HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE CHALLENGER GAME SUNDAY LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES FROM WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS AND WYOMING VALLEY , PENNSYLVANIA.
>> FUNDING HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY EGGLAND'S BEST.
>> HEAR THE CRACK OF THE BAD AND THE CHEERS OF THE CROWD.
SEE THEIR SMILES AS THEY CROSS HOME PLATE.
EGGLAND'S BEST KNOW THESE MOMENTS ARE SOME OF THE BEST TIMES FOR YOUR CHILD'S LIFE.
GETTING READY FOR THE BIG GAME TAKES NUTRITION.
EGGLAND'S BEST IS A SPONSOR OF LITTLE LEAGUE AND THE CHALLENGER GAME BROADCAST TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN LEADING HEALTHY LIVES ON AND OFF THE FIELD.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, EGGLAND'S BEST.COM.
>> WIN OR LOSE, ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST.
>> GOOD JOB.
>> HERE WE GO KIDS.
[SHOUTING] >> GET THERE, BABY!
[SHOUTING] 1, 2, 3.
>> 1, 2, 3 LITTLE LEAGUE.
[CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS
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