Bay Area Team Advances In Little League World Series

Any little boy who’s worked a leather baseball glove so that it bends just-so has spent time dreaming of the big leagues and fame.  For a bunch of boys on a Little League team in Petaluma, the fame is coming early with an appearance in the Little League World Series.

At bar in downtown Petaluma Thursday, every table was filled as locals cheered on the team, including many who’ve known the boys since they were little.

“Our son has played with all of them from the time they were seven years old,” said an emotional Craig Jensen, sitting next to his wife Jennifer and some friends. “Even a couple of years ago, they were just slaying their opponents, but none of us imagined they’d go this far. There’s just a feeling of elation and a lot of pride.”

The bar erupted in loud clapping and cheering every time the Nationals got a run, never mind home runs, which were cause for an all out celebration.

The Petaluma Nationals won the first game of the Little League World Series, pulling ahead of Fairfield, Conn. to a 6-4 victory.

 “They are putting our little town on the map,” said Will Bomar, who stopped by with his wife Monika to catch the game. “This is even better than when the Giants won World Series. Because these are our kids."

Over at , former Petaluma Nationals coach Randy Plumbtree was lining up with 500 others to catch the game on the big screen. The theater said all proceeds from ticket sales—about $7,000—plus half the concession sales would be donated to the team to offset travel costs for family members.

“It’s an amazing accomplishment,” Plumbtree said. “They’ve got that combination of physical endurance, talent and good coaching. But it also helps to have the baseball gods pullin’ for you.”

On Thursday, as Petaluma National battled warm temperatures and humidity in South Williamsport, Pa., the baseball gods smiled on the team. But divine intervention or not, there was no doubt that the team's victory was the culmination of hours of rigorous practice and focus under immense pressure.

Several players have also battled colds over the past several days, causing concern they would not be ready for Thursday's game, said Coach Trevor Tomei.

"It’s good to get the first one out of the way, get out there today and play a game," Tomei said. "The kids were nervous a little bit, but we got it done. And we are very proud."

Petaluma Nationals next play this Sunday at 11am. Catch the game on ESPN.

-Bay City News contributed to this report.

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