The Little League World Series is one of the most watched sporting events of the year. It is popular among many because it is a considered true sport; one without athlete endorsements and people playing for the love of the sport. Traveling from all over the world to watch these young boys play can be exciting, but when the World Series is held in your hometown you feel a little different about things. Here's what it is really like to live in the same town as the Little League World Series.
1. Your town's small population multiplies
The population of South Williamsport, PA is 6,300 and an average game brings in a crowd of around 30,000 people. And if there's a Pennsylvania team, the crowd is probably around 50,000.
2. You get annoyed every time you hear a broadcaster say, "Williamsport"
Sure, Little League Baseball originated in Williamsport, but you have to cross the Carl E. Stotz Bridge to get to the World Series. It is held in South Williamsport, PA. SOUTH.
3. It takes an extra 20 minutes to get to work (5 minutes from your house)
World Series traffic can get crazy. You have 30,000 extra people in your town who don't know where they are or where they're going. So for two weeks, you have to wake up a half an hour earlier just to get to work on time, resulting in a shameful amount of anger while you're driving.
4. You stock up on groceries because you know you can't go to a restaurant
Unless you want a two hour wait for that Fettuccine Alfredo, you know to buy a lot of groceries for the next few days. Every restaurant within a five mile radius is going to be extra busy.
5. You have definitely gone cardboard sliding on "the hill"
Of the many things to do as a kid at the World Series, sliding down a steep hill on a piece of cardboard has become a tradition. Rain or shine, you see children running up to "the hill" covered in dirt and mud to get in one more slide before they leave. Chances are you've probably gone sledding down this same hill in the winter.
6. No matter how annoying it can get, you still live for moments like this
Hearing the announcers, the crowds and the same songs over and over for two weeks always ends up being worth it. When you get to see the pure emotion in these young boys as they get to live their dreams for these few days, none of the other things matter.
I will continue to support and watch these games--from the comfort of my living room--and play my favorite game with my parents: Home Run or Awesome Catch? With the delay on television, we can hear the crowd react before we know what happens in the game and it helps build anticipation. As much as we all complain about it, I wouldn't want this event to happen anywhere else in the world.
