Play ball! (No rain check required)

Published 08.14.2023

Photos by Tom Wilson, writer/editor-Penn College News. and Jennifer A. Cline, writer/magazine editor (unless otherwise noted)

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    Threatening skies delivered on their radar-green promise of a soggy Monday, but it wasn't enough to scuttle Penn College's proud prelude to the Little League Baseball World Series. For more than a decade and a half, the college – exhibiting the same single-mindedness that it takes to be successful in athletics – has served picnic fare to players, coaches, Little League volunteers and umpires, and organizers weren't about to let a little rain get in the way.

    "We are very happy to be your host for fellowship and food before play begins at the Little League World Series," President Michael J. Reed told the 10 U.S. and 10 international teams in this year's tournament. "We hope today will be a special memory for you in a summer full of them."

    The college presence continued during the ensuing Grand Slam Parade, which forms on the fringes of campus and travels eastward on fan-lined West Fourth Street before ending in the heart of downtown.

    As it has for more than 15 years, Penn College opened its campus to a pre-parade crowd of hungry players, coaches and umpires.
    As it has for more than 15 years, Penn College opened its campus to a pre-parade crowd of hungry players, coaches and umpires.
    Student volunteer Kylee P. Albert, a business administration student from Boyertown, leads the Panama team from its River Valley Transit Authority bus to the picnic grounds.
    Student volunteer Kylee P. Albert, a business administration student from Boyertown, leads the Panama team from its River Valley Transit Authority bus to the picnic grounds.
    In baseball scoring, "K" denotes a strikeout ... but it can also stand for "kangaroo" and "koala," a pair of good-luck mascots for the Australian team.
    In baseball scoring, "K" denotes a strikeout ... but it can also stand for "kangaroo" and "koala," a pair of good-luck mascots for the Australian team.
    A receiving line of Penn College well-wishers greeted all of the Series teams, including this one from the Metro Region (Smithfield, R.I.).
    A receiving line of Penn College well-wishers greeted all of the Series teams, including this one from the Metro Region (Smithfield, R.I.).
    President Reed talks with former Philadelphia Phillie and Chicago Cub Ryne Sandberg shortly after the Hall of Famer (and parade grand marshal) arrived at Penn College. (Photo by Joseph S. Yoder, associate vice president for public relations and marketing)
    President Reed talks with former Philadelphia Phillie and Chicago Cub Ryne Sandberg shortly after the Hall of Famer (and parade grand marshal) arrived at Penn College. (Photo by Joseph S. Yoder, associate vice president for public relations and marketing)
    The squad from Tokyo makes its way through a throng of photographers.
    The squad from Tokyo makes its way through a throng of photographers.
    A pair of local sports dignitaries – Rob Thomas (left), a public address announcer for the Little League Baseball World Series (and the Williamsport Crosscutters), and Tom O'Malley, a locally raised former Major Leaguer – watches the teams' arrival.
    A pair of local sports dignitaries – Rob Thomas (left), a public address announcer for the Little League Baseball World Series (and the Williamsport Crosscutters), and Tom O'Malley, a locally raised former Major Leaguer – watches the teams' arrival.
    This year's Southwest entry (from Needville, Texas) rounds the corner from The Victorian House to the food tent.
    This year's Southwest entry (from Needville, Texas) rounds the corner from The Victorian House to the food tent.
    Series teams chow down on dogs, burgers and other staples of summer.
    Series teams chow down on dogs, burgers and other staples of summer.
    Picnic volunteer Krista E. Snyder, admissions counselor for transfer and adult students, shared her photo with the Midwest Region players. "They are the first team ever to make it from North Dakota," she said, "so I had them all sign my shirt and told them, when they won/became famous, I would have this shirt to remember them by."
    Picnic volunteer Krista E. Snyder, admissions counselor for transfer and adult students, shared her photo with the Midwest Region players. "They are the first team ever to make it from North Dakota," she said, "so I had them all sign my shirt and told them, when they won/became famous, I would have this shirt to remember them by."
    Tom Speicher, a writer/video producer at the college and part of the Little League radio team for better than a quarter-century, interviews Southeast coach Randy Huth – whose Nolensville, Tenn., team is making its third consecutive appearance in the Series bracket.
    Tom Speicher, a writer/video producer at the college and part of the Little League radio team for better than a quarter-century, interviews Southeast coach Randy Huth – whose Nolensville, Tenn., team is making its third consecutive appearance in the Series bracket.
    The Penn College Wildcat makes friends wherever it goes, and this meet-up with the team from Tijuana, Mexico, is no exception.
    The Penn College Wildcat makes friends wherever it goes, and this meet-up with the team from Tijuana, Mexico, is no exception.
    As "liquid sunshine" falls beyond the tent, Reed congratulates the 20 teams "that will live the Little League World Series dream," adding their names to the 10,519 players from across the event's 75 years. Reed then introduced Sandberg, characterizing him as "one of the greatest second basemen in Major League Baseball history."
    As "liquid sunshine" falls beyond the tent, Reed congratulates the 20 teams "that will live the Little League World Series dream," adding their names to the 10,519 players from across the event's 75 years. Reed then introduced Sandberg, characterizing him as "one of the greatest second basemen in Major League Baseball history."
    A 10-time All-Star with an enduring involvement in baseball (when he's not enjoying his 11 grandchildren), Sandberg shared memories of his playing days and encouraged the players as they begin competition on Wednesday. "Enjoy your friends, your teams and your coaches," he said. "I hope you make it as far as you want to go."
    A 10-time All-Star with an enduring involvement in baseball (when he's not enjoying his 11 grandchildren), Sandberg shared memories of his playing days and encouraged the players as they begin competition on Wednesday. "Enjoy your friends, your teams and your coaches," he said. "I hope you make it as far as you want to go."
    A player from the Czech Republic, this year's winner from the Europe-Africa Region, captures Sandberg's remarks on video.
    A player from the Czech Republic, this year's winner from the Europe-Africa Region, captures Sandberg's remarks on video.
    The Southwest and Mexico engage in some off-field competition, playing Connect 4 during a pre-parade lull.
    The Southwest and Mexico engage in some off-field competition, playing Connect 4 during a pre-parade lull.
    Among the many joys of hosting LLWS players? Watching friendships form and instantly flourish, of course!
    Among the many joys of hosting LLWS players? Watching friendships form and instantly flourish, of course!
    There was no shortage of photo requests from players wishing for an encounter with the 16-year MLB veteran.
    There was no shortage of photo requests from players wishing for an encounter with the 16-year MLB veteran.
    A player from Mexico gets thrown a curve, as the Jenga tower comes tumblin' down.
    A player from Mexico gets thrown a curve, as the Jenga tower comes tumblin' down.
    Players from the Mid-Atlantic (Media, Pa.) and Cuba (Bayamo) regions employ the international language of electronics.
    Players from the Mid-Atlantic (Media, Pa.) and Cuba (Bayamo) regions employ the international language of electronics.
    Volunteers from the women's softball team snag a photo with Sandberg. From left are Colleen V. Cole, of Danville, pre-dental hygiene; Ivvy R. Morder, of Mechanicsburg, accounting; and Madison J. Herriman, of Danville, nursing. They – along with their coach, Angela L. Stackhouse – each accompanied a team during the picnic.
    Volunteers from the women's softball team snag a photo with Sandberg. From left are Colleen V. Cole, of Danville, pre-dental hygiene; Ivvy R. Morder, of Mechanicsburg, accounting; and Madison J. Herriman, of Danville, nursing. They – along with their coach, Angela L. Stackhouse – each accompanied a team during the picnic.
    A campus lawn becomes a cornhole arena
    A campus lawn becomes a cornhole arena
    Wildcat baseball coach Chris Howard, whose career overlapped Sandberg's for four seasons, poses with his former big-league colleague.
    Wildcat baseball coach Chris Howard, whose career overlapped Sandberg's for four seasons, poses with his former big-league colleague.
    Led by bubblegum-toting catcher Corbin Cyphers, the Southeast players return to their bus for transport to the parade staging area.
    Led by bubblegum-toting catcher Corbin Cyphers, the Southeast players return to their bus for transport to the parade staging area.
    A portion of the Penn College parade contingent, joined by President Reed and the divisional banner carriers, indulges the photographer in the staging area.
    A portion of the Penn College parade contingent, joined by President Reed and the divisional banner carriers, indulges the photographer in the staging area.
    The college’s renowned Baja SAE vehicle excites parade viewers.
    The college’s renowned Baja SAE vehicle excites parade viewers.
    A group of student-athletes hands pins to viewers near the college’s Center for Business & Workforce Development.
    A group of student-athletes hands pins to viewers near the college’s Center for Business & Workforce Development.
    David E. Bjorkman, instructor of emergency management/social science, waves from the college’s Mobile Command Post, a new “tool” for the emergency management & homeland security major.
    David E. Bjorkman, instructor of emergency management/social science, waves from the college’s Mobile Command Post, a new “tool” for the emergency management & homeland security major.
    David Brown, a Wildcat basketball player majoring in business administration: sport and event management concentration, cheerfully obliges fans’ requests for trading pins.
    David Brown, a Wildcat basketball player majoring in business administration: sport and event management concentration, cheerfully obliges fans’ requests for trading pins.
    The World Series team from Tennessee, 30 miles from Nashville, looks the part.
    The World Series team from Tennessee, 30 miles from Nashville, looks the part.
    An Asia-Pacific player, from Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei, follows through on a toss to a spectator.
    An Asia-Pacific player, from Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei, follows through on a toss to a spectator.
    The Latin-American team exchanges goodies with the crowd. The team is from Maracaibo, Venezuela.
    The Latin-American team exchanges goodies with the crowd. The team is from Maracaibo, Venezuela.
    Minion Stuart marches in the parade – in search of a boss?
    Minion Stuart marches in the parade – in search of a boss?

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