BALTIMORE – The Little League World Series qualifiers from Richmond, Texas, may not have advanced beyond the early rounds in South Williamsport, Pa., this month.
But on Thursday, they got a heck of a consolation prize: being welcomed as pregame guests at Oriole Park at Camden Yards as the Astros and the Orioles took batting practice ahead of the opener of a four-game series.
“These boys have been spoiled like crazy with everything Little League does for them,” said Justin Pollard, the manager of the Southwest Region squad. “They love every bit of it. Skipping school for two weeks and getting to do this, what kid wouldn’t want to?”
O's stars Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday were among the first to visit with the team from Lamar Little League, as they signed autographs and posed for photos after Baltimore wrapped up batting practice first.
Then nine-time Astros All-Star Jose Altuve paid a visit. And Houston skipper Joe Espada even had a manager-to-manager conference with Pollard, his LLWS counterpart.
The biggest thrill for the Southwest Region representatives may have come when they learned that Orioles center fielder and fellow Greater Houston native Colton Cowser trained in the offseason at Cotton Sports Ranch, the same local facility where many play their travel ball.
“They all lit up,” Pollard said. “They’re like, ‘He plays there? We’re going to play there!’ I think that helps them put it all in perspective as well and realize that, put in the work and this could be them. It is possible.”
Camden Yards is one of the closest MLB parks to South Williamsport, about a three-hour drive to the south. It has regularly hosted visitors from the annual world championship of 12-and-under baseball.
Qualifying for the event is always an immersive experience for the players, who not only compete on the field but make friends off of it from around the globe.
But even after watching the Little League Classic at Historic Bowman Field last Sunday between the Mets and Mariners, Thursday night was another level for players like Joseph Miller, who came away with a pair of Henderson’s batting gloves among his souvenirs.
“They’re a lot more friendly [than I expected], and they’ll do stuff for you,” Miller said of the players, pointing to his new keepsake.
Jaxson Packard, a big Astros and Jeremy Peña fan, knew how precious this moment was.
“How many people get to meet these players? Like MLB players, professionals,” Packard said. “It’s really cool.”