LLSoftball World Series: So Many Links!

Yesterday morning, I opened the newspaper and the front page of the Sports section, featured TWO top stories of interest: the new women's soccer season at University of Portland (2005 NATIONAL CHAMPS) and "South Pitcher Throws a Perfect Game." Squeezed in between was the Oregonian's coverage of Oregon State football and a column on the NBA Trailblazers. Thank you very much -- this is a sign that women's and girls' sports are popular, legitimate and part of our culture.

In fact, coverage in the Oregonian (Oregon's major daily newspaper) and our local Beaverton Valley Times has been excellent. This morning, there were two articles in the Oregonian: about Friday's matchups and about the LL Softball World Series experience, specifically regarding the team from the Philippines, staying with host families and being in a different culture.

Very soon, ESPN trucks will begin to roll in and set up for coverage of Tuesday's Semi-Finals (4pm and 6:30pm, Pacific time) and the Championship game on Wednesday at 6:30pm.

But today, the games continue with Game#9 Southwest (Elgin LL, Texas) vs. East (Pequannock LL, New Jersey), Game#10 West (Gilroy LL, California) vs. EMEA (Ramstein American LL, Germany), Game #11 Canada (Layritz LL, Victoria, BC) vs. Latin America (Soraida Juliana LL, Willemstad, Curacao), and Game#12 Central (Mattawan LL, Michigan) vs. South (Morristown American National LL, Tennessee).

Please click on the "Game#" highlights above and click on "Box Scores" for LIVE scoring and photos from the games. Volunteers are running around the complex to bring you these updates and know how hard it must be for those family and friends who are following their teams from home.

Right after today's final game, the RE/MAX Home Run Derby will take center stage on the Alpenrose main diamond. Like the DeMarini Skills Challenge, this is a fun event to add memories and good times to the scrapbooks for these players. The girls, siblings, coaches and local celebrities will take their hacks at pitches from a cow! Yes, the LLSBWS mascots Alpen and Rose will keep the lobs coming in so everyone gets a chance to hit a homerun. And all proceeds benefit the LLSBWS and go towards the expenses of running this tournament.

So, if you're in Portland, and not at the North Plains Garlic Festival (where my husband is serving as the parade judge), or in between heading to the Bite of Oregon or the Portland Beavers game, stop by and enjoy some free, family entertainment at Alpenrose. Will two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Michele Smith make an appearance again today and smash one over the fence? I hope so -- I am heading out there to find out myself :)