WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — For the first time, the City of Williamsburg has a group of youth baseball champions.
The Williamsburg 8-year-old All-Stars will represent the Southeastern Region in Florida for the Cal Ripken-Babe Ruth World Series.
On July 21, they earned the title of the Cal Ripken Rookie Southeastern Regional Champions.
The baseball team, comprising 13 children, have been working hard all summer long to get to this point. Under the direction of head coach Amy Rains, they practice four times a week and competed in four tournaments.
In this last game, they outscored their opponents with the most runs and won the championship title for the first time in Williamsburg history.
“I love baseball so much and I’m passionate about it,” said Coach Rains. "It just spurs all kinds of talk around town and it gets kids excited about baseball and all of these sports in general."
For the kids, it’s just fun being out here participating in a sport they love with their friends.
“We’re just all happy, I guess,” said player Jaxon Brinkley.
Coach Rains said these kids did their best when it mattered and it’s an extra dose of pride for her knowing this team, which includes her son, Luke.
"I really enjoy playing with my teammates," Luke said. “We’re proud to represent the city of Williamsburg, the state of Virginia and also the southeast region.”
Now the Williamsburg 8-year-old All-Stars will compete against teams from across the U.S. in Jensen Beach, Florida, from Aug. 3-11.
“We know they’re going to do great things,” said Coach Rains.