Behind The Box Score

Led by the powerful bats of Luke Ramirez and Kiko Garcia, the Chula Vista Little League baseball team from Southern California, is in tight contention for the crown at the 2009 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Following a harsh defeat to San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, Chula Vista looks to upset the #1 seed Warner Robins, Georgia team tonight at Lamade Stadium.

 With the three and four hitters in Ramirez and Garcia combining to hit seven home runs in the ’09 World Series, this team arguably has the best lineup in the tournament. As Mexico and Chinese Taipei advanced to the International Finals, Chula Vista looks poised to make a strong run. In their way is a competitive Georgia team that won it all in 2007, defeating Japan. Outscoring opponents 87-19 in the regional tournament, Chula Vista must improve upon the three runs managed in Tuesday’s loss. If they do indeed throw a great game, get timely hits and field the ball effectively, something they did in their first game against Kentucky, we could see a Calfornia-Texas rematch in the US Final.

 Led by a 6’2″ 205 pound mammoth of a little leaguer, Chula Vista is more than ready to show Williamsport just what they are all about. Ramirez, who has hit over .500 in the tournament with 4 HR’s, including two blasts against Peabody, Massachusetts, is the central point to a lineup that has scored over ten runs a game in the tournament. After putting up 15 against Russellville, Kentucky then a 14 spot on Peabody, Massachusetts, the Cali bats went silent against Texas, only scoring three runs.

 Batting after Ramirez is Garcia, the silent assassin who hasn’t received as much attention as the hitter before him. Belting 12 HR’s in 15 at bats in the regional tourney, Garcia has picked up where he left off, hitting .700 with three bombs. Even with the solid production coming from the sluggers, the rest of the lineup must pick up the slack. For Chula Vista’s first two games, the team faced below average pitching from two of the worst teams in Kentucky and Massachusetts.

 Faced with a solid pitching core from San Antonio, the California team looked star struck as they fell behind early. Not losing since August 1st, the players dropped their heads as San Antonio widened the lead in the sixth with a home run coming from the smallest player left in the tournament in Wyatt Willis, who used all of his 4’9″ frame to drive the ball over the center field fence. After clearing the 225 foot wall in dead center, Garcia looked back towards the field with a look of desperation in his eyes, something coach Ric Ramirez hopes his team will never have to experience. Coming into the tournament as the favorite from the United States, this Chula Vista club has a chance for redemption tonight as they square off against Warner Robins, Georgia, a team will great pitching and even better defense. Either the sun will rise in the East for this team or their dreams could be over tonight as the sun may fall for this team representing the West.