Manager Says Players Treated Like ‘Prisoners’ : Irvine’s Garcia Says Stifling Atmosphere of Living Area Finally Got to Team

Bob Garcia, manager of the Northwood Irvine Little League All-Star team, lashed out at Little League World Series officials after Saturday’s game, saying that his players had been treated like “prisoners” all week.

All eight World Series teams were housed in barrack-style buildings in the village portion of the Little League complex. Included in the living area are a cafeteria, swimming pool and recreation area.

None of the players were allowed out of the living area except to practice, play or watch games, or visit the Little League Museum, which is right next door.

Garcia felt this stifling atmosphere caught up with his players Saturday.

“The biggest problem here is that they don’t let the kids be kids,” Garcia said. “We could never go out to the movies or do anything. We just had to stay in the barracks. All of a sudden, the kids go into a stadium with 30,000 people and that’s a real problem for them.”

Garcia felt especially cooped up Saturday, when the team was forced to eat lunch in its barracks because a reception for local politicians and civic leaders was being held in the cafeteria.

“We sat in our rooms for an hour and they said, ‘No, you can’t go out yet,’ ” Garcia said. “It’s like a dog and pony show. They need to change that. I heard they used to take kids out on boat rides on the river and things like that. Why can’t they do things like that now? All I hear about here is liability insurance.

“They always say Little League is for the children. Well then, let’s make it for the children.”

There were no tears in the Irvine dugout after the game. Because it was a blowout by the second inning, the players had plenty of time to come to grips with the fact that they had finally lost.

When it was over, most of the players were smiling. There was even some levity.

One player, heading onto the field for a team picture, said, “We’re still the second-best team in the world.”

To which Didgit Tuttle, the 4-foot 7-inch, 71-pound reserve infielder, shot back: “Yeah, but by 20 runs.”

Instead of dwelling on the loss, the players focused on their accomplishments.

“We’re not really upset because we’re still the best team in the United States,” said Chris Greinke, the shortstop. “There’s no reason to be down.”

Added right fielder Steve Mendoza: “We came this far--that’s the most important thing. Being second is all right.”

The Irvine parents, relatives and friends greeted the team afterward as if it had won. They were cheering, throwing confetti and hugging all the players.

“There’s no frustration,” said Larry O’Toole, father of second baseman Ryan O’Toole. “The kids have accepted what has happened on the field. They know they played a better team, and they realize that Taiwan is the best team of 12-year-olds in the world.

“The parents all realized that we’d be going home after this game, win or lose. Our kids gave us an incredible summer; it was a great gift from them. But we all have to go back to the real world Monday morning.”

Before the game, the 1987 Little League Parents of the Year award was presented to Mrs. Nolan Ryan Sr., the mother of Houston Astro pitcher Nolan Ryan.

Ryan, whose team was in Pittsburgh this weekend to play the Pirates, had planned on flying to Williamsport to attend the ceremony but had to cancel because he pitched Saturday.