Backstory below.
Here’s the show.
Usually legends have a few decades of life and experience under their belts, but for the One on One series featuring the Legends, we make an exception for the Blue Bombers. The Park View Little League team battled its way to the top to become the Little League World Series Champions in 2009. At the time, they were 11- and 12-year-old boys. In 2015, they are all high school graduates with most of them entering their sophomore year in college. But what has transpired for them after the spotlight, through high school and now? Revisiting their journey and updating their stories was a lot of fun even if it was a bit like herding cats!
In 2010, the parents and coaches gathered all the boys in our studio for a wonderful interview experience for me, and I think for them. This time around, with some in high school, others in college both locally and out of state, getting them together was a bigger task. So, we did the best we could and five (Bradly, Seth, Markus, Oscar and Jensen) were able to rendezvous with photographer Dan Roper and me at the Park View Little League field to talk about being there and life since 2010. I had seen most of them in 2012 at a small reunion, but now they are really young men! They are just as personable, respectful and nice as ever.
The others who couldn’t make it answered questions for me in emails and along with pictures, we were able to piece together where the dazzling dozen are now. (Many thanks to the parents and to Rod Roberto for helping me get in touch with everyone!)
This video jigsaw puzzle is one of my favorites – realizing what a production it was back in 2010 to weave their wonderful adventure and reflections into a one-hour show to celebrate a wonderful achievement. Then, to be able to follow them and see how they still appreciate their success with humility and pride makes me glad we could dedicate time and resources to share such a “good sports story.”
On another personal note, the moms used to call me “Mama Jane” as an adopted part of the family. Now, I really am a Mama Jane, and listening to how the parents described their boys as babies makes me appreciate, even more, how special it is to have and be a loving parent, happy to help my little one grow and develop, have fun and follow her passion.
In order to do justice to their stories, we left out the story of the 1961 Little League World Champs, but that story will be uploaded to YouTube to view again, too.
Show Summary:
One on One with Jane Mitchell: Legend Park View Little League Champions The story of the Little League World Champions, their journey to the top, hometown hoopla and where they are now after graduating high school.