By R. L. Harvey Arklahoma Sports
With the Little League World Series kicking off this past August 14 th , in Williamsport,
Pennsylvania, I thought I would focus on a heartwarming and historical tale of the series. In the book, “The Perfect Game” by W. William Winokur, readers are taken on an extraordinary
journey of faith, redemption, and the indomitable human spirit over 350 pages.
To tell the complete story would be to just copy and paste the entire book. So I will give you my unworthy synopsis along with some historical information about Little League International.
I hope you enjoy.
A little history first:
Little League Baseball has grown significantly since its inception in 1939. It was started
as a three-team league by Carl E. Stotz, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Today, approximately
two million boys participate in Little League Baseball worldwide every year.
The organization spans more than 80 countries and all 50 states in the U.S., making it a truly global phenomenon.
More than 60 major leaguers played in the Little League World Series. Additionally, over 100,000 girls participate in Little League Baseball to this day. Little League Softball was established in 1974. Since then, it has grown to include approximately 300,000 athletes in more than 25 countries.
Girls are allowed to play in Little League Baseball due to a landmark decision in 1974.
This change came after a series of lawsuits and growing legal challenges that highlighted the need for gender equality in youth sports. The National Organization for Women filed a lawsuit on behalf of Maria Pepe, a young girl who was forced to quit her local Little League team despite her desire to play.
The New Jersey Civil Rights Division ruled that excluding girls from Little League violated the state’s Law Against Discrimination.
Facing mounting pressure and recognizing the changing social climate, Little League
Baseball announced its decision to allow girls to play in June 1974. Later that year, Congress passed a gender-neutral amendment to the Little League charter, which was signed into law by President Gerald Ford.
This decision allowed girls to participate in Little League Baseball on an equal basis with boys, reflecting the organization’s commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities for all young athletes.
Boys can play in Little League Softball. While Little League Softball is often associated
with girls, there are no specific rules that prohibit boys from participating. It is worth noting that boys typically participate in Little League Baseball, while girls have the option to play in either baseball or softball leagues. Specific statistics on the number of boys playing in Little League Softball are not readily available.
“And now, the rest of the story,” – a quote from Paul Harvey:
Set against the backdrop of Monterrey, Mexico, the story follows a group of ragtag street
urchins who rise from the slums to achieve the impossible dream of winning the Little League
World Series.
The story begins in the pews of San Juan Bautista Church, where Angel Macias
and his friends, living in dismal conditions, find solace in the crackling Spanish language broadcasts of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Inspired by the game, Angel discovers an old baseball and begins practicing, eventually meeting Cesar Faz, a former batboy for the Double-A San Antonio Missions and the major league St. Louis Browns.
Angel’s encounter with Cesar sparks the idea of forming an organized Little League
team. Despite their lack of resources, the boys convince Cesar to coach them. With dreams of playing just one “real game” in the United States, they embark on a journey that would change their lives forever.
With a three-day visa and barely enough money to last, the boys whisper their prayers
and start what they assume will be their first and only game. Averaging thirty-five pounds lighter and six inches shorter than their American counterparts, the boys journey to Texas for the first round of the 1957 Little League Tournament.
Crossing the Rio Grande on foot and walking around ten miles through the scorching desert, they arrive in McAllen, Texas, with nothing more than their uniforms and a change of underwear in a paper bag.
However, destiny has other plans. The Monterrey team, against all odds, wins their first
game over Ciudad de Mexico 9-2. The Ciudad de Mexico team was composed of players who were the sons of Americans working south of the border and were more affluent as compared to the Monterrey team. This detail aligns with the portrayal of them, although liberties are taken in the movie.
The boys won five games in five days in McAllen, Texas before moving on to Corpus
Christi, Texas where they won two more games, shutting out both opponents. They then went on to win two more games in Fort Worth, Texas for the Texas State Championship.
Moving on to Louisville, Kentucky for the Southern Regional Championship, the boys took down teams from Mississippi and Alabama, again shutting both teams out.
The Monterrey team, now a symbol of hope and perseverance in Mexico, but also in the
United States, faces off against the best teams from the United States. The unexpected and
ultimate dream is realized as the boys make it to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. With two nail-biting victories, the boys are crowned as the first team outside of the United States to be the Little League World Series Champions.
You can find all of the details and specifics in the book, which is still available on Amazon and other sites, as well as libraries and bookstores.
In the final game of the 1957 Little League World Series, the Monterrey team from
Mexico faced off against the heavily favored team from West La Mesa, California. The Monterrey team, led by pitcher Ángel Macías, delivered an unforgettable performance.
Macías pitched a perfect game, a feat that has not been repeated in Little League World Series history.
His exceptional pitching skills and composure under pressure were instrumental in
securing the victory.
Enrique Suárez hit a grand slam home run, contributing significantly to the team’s 4-0
victory over West La Mesa. The Monterrey team’s defense and teamwork were impeccable, ensuring that West La Mesa could not score any runs. Their unity and determination were evident throughout the game.
Macías and Suárez, along with teammate José “Pepe” Maiz García did the majority of the pitching for the Monterrey, Mexico team, as well as providing a great deal of the offensive output.
Major rule changes:
In 2007 the pitching rule was changed. Originally, the rules limited the number of innings
a pitcher could throw in a game. Recognizing the potential strain on young arms, Little League International introduced pitch count regulations.
These new rules set a maximum number of pitches a player could throw in a day, with
mandatory rest periods based on the number of pitches thrown. For example, pitchers aged 11-12 are now limited to 85 pitches per day, and they must rest for a specified number of days depending on their pitch count.
For pitchers, the required days of rest are as follows: 1-20 pitches require 0 days of rest,
21-35 pitches require one day of rest, 36-50 pitches require two days of rest, 51-65 pitches require three days of rest, and 66 or more pitches require four days of rest.
This shift from innings pitched to pitch count has helped reduce the risk of overuse
injuries and ensure that young players can enjoy the game safely and sustainably. This change to the rules does not take anything away at all from the Monterrey, Mexico boys who were utilized as the rules allowed.
The fences at Howard J. Lamade Stadium and Volunteer Stadium, where the Little
League World Series games are played, were moved back to 225 feet in 2006. This change was made because home runs were becoming too common, and the adjustment aimed to make the games more competitive.
Volunteer Stadium was completed in 2001 to accommodate the expanding number of teams participating in the tournament.
(Celebration)"Let’s all celebrate and have a good time" – Kool and the Gang:
In the wake of their miraculous victory in the 1957 Little League World Series, the
Monterrey team embarked on a series of unforgettable celebrations. Their journey began with a trip to New York City, where the boys had the chance to witness a Brooklyn Dodgers game, fulfilling a dream inspired by the crackling Spanish language broadcasts they had listened to back home.
The excitement continued as Macy’s generously gave each player $40 for a shopping
spree. For these young champions, the experience of shopping in one of the world’s most famous department stores was nothing short of magical.
The team’s triumph also earned them a visit to Washington, D.C., where they had the
honor of meeting President Dwight Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon. This
prestigious encounter highlighted the significance of their achievement and the pride they
brought to their country.
Upon their return to Mexico, the boys were celebrated as heroes in Mexico City. Their
victory was a source of national pride, and the celebrations reflected the joy and admiration of their fellow citizens.
After nearly a month of celebrations and travel, the boys finally returned home to
Monterrey. Their journey had come full circle, and they were welcomed back by their families
and communities as champions.
“The Perfect Game” is more than just a sports story; it is a tale of the human spirit’s
ability to overcome adversity. The Monterrey team’s journey from the slums of Mexico to the
pinnacle of Little League baseball should serve as an enduring benchmark for children and
dreamers everywhere.
After Monterrey, Mexico’s historic win in 1957, Little League Baseball began to see
more international participation. The Latin America Region was established in 1958, allowing
teams from various Latin American countries to compete in the Little League World Series.
Over the years, the tournament has expanded to include teams from around the globe, with 28 different countries sending local Little League programs to compete. This expansion has helped Little League Baseball grow into a truly international event.
You can watch a short documentary about “The Perfect Game” on YouTube at this link,
https://youtu.be/wFsPe9yllLA?si=2hM4ptUB9MCuZB1 or by searching “Third Miracle (Perfect
Game Original Title).”
You can also click on this link, The Little League World Series’ Only
Perfect Game | Smithsonian (smithsonianmag.com) for a newspaper article filled with
information and pictures.
Review of the Movie
The film adaptation of “The Perfect Game” brought the story to the big screen. While the
movie is very loosely based on the true events, it captures the essence of the team’s journey and their incredible triumph. Though it is worth a watch for sports fans, the movie takes significant creative liberties with the true story.
It is choppy and over-embellished in parts, which may detract from the authenticity of the narrative, however, it still manages to deliver a rather
engaging and heartwarming experience.
Despite its flaws, “The Perfect Game” is a good watch with the family. To truly follow
the book would have taken a Stephen King styled miniseries rather than the 118 minute movie.
The film’s portrayal of the team’s determination, teamwork, and spirit resonates with most
viewers, making it an enjoyable and uplifting movie night choice.
Wrapping Up and More History:
I have been across the border near Monterrey, as well as in Tijuana in Mexico, back in
the late 1990s and early 2000s. I lived a few months in Mississippi too, not too far from Biloxi,
and resided eleven months and two weeks in western Pennsylvania.
I have traveled to or through every single town these boys played in but never knew the
history until this movie came out. My father and I always caught the finals of the Little League
World Series from 1986-2016 on ABC.
I have since kept up the tradition since my father’s passing, although nowadays the ESPN networks as well as ABC overdo it by showing every United States Regional tournament as well as every game of the tournament.
The tournament recently expanded in 2022 to twenty teams - ten from the USA and ten
from around the world. The last such change was in 2001 when the tournament expanded from eight total teams to 16 teams (eight U.S. teams and eight international teams).
Arkansas has participated in the Little League World Series three times, with their last
appearance in 1979. Oklahoma has participated twice, with their last appearance in 1988. I
personally think that a coach from Leflore County, in Oklahoma, could take just Leflore County boys and win the dadgummed thing.
The Little League World Series started this year on August 14 and will conclude after 38 games to crown a world champion. You can catch the games on the
ESPN network and ABC.
As I reflect on the Monterrey team’s remarkable journey, I am reminded of the power of
dreams, the strength of unity, and the resilience of the human spirit. That walk they took – can you imagine a kid today walking ten miles to play a baseball game? Can you imagine an
American walking ten miles to do anything? Their story continues to inspire and uplift, proving that with heart and determination, almost anything is possible.
Here’s to the Monterrey champions, whose legacy will forever shine brightly in the
annals of Little League history. Even if another perfect game is thrown, nothing will ever take
away the brilliance behind this team.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Until next time,
keep dreaming big and never give up!
Extra! Extra! Read All About it!
Notable Big Leaguers in both - Little League and MLB World Series:
Jim Barbieri: Won the Little League World Series with Schenectady, New York, in 1954 and the MLB World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1966.
Boog Powell: Won the Little League World Series with Lakeland, Florida, in 1954 and the MLB
World Series with the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 and 1970.
Rick Wise: Played in the Little League World Series with Portland, Oregon, in 1958 and the
MLB World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 1975.
Dwight Gooden: Played in the Little League World Series with Tampa, Florida, in 1979 and won the MLB World Series with the New York Mets in 1986.
Carney Lansford: Played in the Little League World Series with Santa Clara, California, in 1969 and won the MLB World Series with the Oakland Athletics in 1989.
Gary Sheffield: Played in the Little League World Series with Tampa, Florida, in 1980 and won
the MLB World Series with the Florida Marlins in 1997.
Jason Varitek: Played in the Little League World Series with Altamonte Springs, Florida, in
1984 and won the MLB World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2004 and 2007.
Michael Conforto: Played in the Little League World Series with the Northwest Region in 2004
and played in the MLB World Series with the New York Mets in 2015.
Derek Bell: Played in the Little League World Series with Tampa, Florida, in 1980 and 1981,
and won the MLB World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992.
Charlie Hayes: Played in the Little League World Series with Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in 1977,
and won the MLB World Series with the New York Yankees in 1996.
Ed Vosberg: Played in the Little League World Series with Tucson, Arizona, in 1973, and won
the MLB World Series with the Florida Marlins in 1997.
Jason Marquis: Played in the Little League World Series with Staten Island, New York, in 1991,
and won the MLB World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004.
Yusmeiro Petit: Played in the Little League World Series with Coquivacoa, Venezuela, in 1994,
and won the MLB World Series with the San Francisco Giants in 2014.
Lance Lynn: Played in the Little League World Series with Brownsburg, Indiana, in 1999, and
won the MLB World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011 and 2013.
Cody Bellinger: Played in the Little League World Series with Chandler, Arizona, in 2007, and
won the MLB World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017, 2018, and 2020.
Kevin Cash: Played in the Little League World Series with Tampa, Florida, in 1989, and won the MLB World Series as a coach with the Cleveland Indians in 2016.
Todd Frazier: Played in the Little League World Series with Toms River, New Jersey, in 1998,
and played in the MLB World Series with the New York Yankees in 2017.
Comments