All Things Considered, They Would Rather Be Playing Ball : Baseball: Second day of rain forces further postponement of Little League World Series games and leaves players restless.

For the second consecutive day, rain fell on the Little League World Series, turning the grounds at Lamade Field into a swamp and turning many of the Little League players into little screaming meemies.

Fueled by what might best be described as delayed-game stress syndrome--all games were postponed Thursday--the Little Leaguers’ baseball fever has turned into cabin fever.

“They’re antsy, really antsy now,” said Ron MacDonald, coach of the Cypress Little League all-stars. “Quite honestly, this morning, it was, ‘Coach, can we go home?’ I can’t blame them. It’s raining and they want to play ball.”

Whatever the weather--more showers were predicted for today and Saturday--Cypress is not scheduled to play its semifinal until at least Saturday.

It is the first time in the 44-year history of the Little League World Series that rain has delayed play more than a day. While groundskeepers worked frantically to repair the field--along with tarps and rollers, a helicopter was brought in by a local television station to help dry the outfield--games were repeatedly pushed back.

Shippensburg, Pa., and Mobile, Ala.--whose game was suspended by rain Wednesday with Shippensburg leading, 3-0, in the third inning--will try to resume their game today. Ramstein Air Force Base of West Germany and Tainan County of Taiwan will meet 45 minutes after the first game.

Cypress will meet the winner of Shippensburg/Mobile on Saturday to decide the American Little League champion. Also Saturday, the winner of the West Germany/Taiwan game will meet Trail, British Columbia, for the international championship. The starting times for Saturday’s games have not been determined.

Because of the delays and because Little League rules state no team may play two full games in one day, the World Series championship game between the American champion and the international champion, which had been scheduled for 1 p.m. (PDT) Saturday, has been moved to 1 p.m. Sunday.

Little League officials called a press conference Thursday to dispel rumors that, with more rain, the series might be canceled.

“Those rumors are absolutely false,” said Steve Keener, director of public relations. “We will indeed take as long as it takes to finish. . . . We will crown a Little League World Series champion.”

Meanwhile, the players have passed the time by trading and collecting pins, caps and T-shirts, visiting the Little League Museum adjacent to the complex, and competing in a bubble-blowing contest that featured Johnny Bench, former catcher and current bubble gum manufacturer representative.

By Thursday afternoon most of the 11- and 12-year-old players were growing increasingly restless.

Little League rules prohibit players to leave the grounds around the stadium where they are housed. That did not please many of the Cypress parents, some of whom took the players bowling and sightseeing anyway.

“They’re having a tough time,” said Bill Slevcove, father of Cypress second baseman Mark Slevcove. “It’s hard because there’s not much for them to do around the complex. I think we should be able to take them out. I realize they’re probably worried about liability, but heck, they’re our kids. We’re liable for them for the rest of their lives.”

Little League officials did arrange a bus ride for the players and coaches (no parents allowed) to a local amusement area, and a hot dog roast was planned (parents allowed) for Thursday evening. But many said the only real remedy for the kids will be to play baseball.

“They’re going stir crazy,” MacDonald said. “They want to play ball. They know what’s at stake now. I think it’s all sunk in. They know they have a shot at winning a United States championship, and maybe, if we can get there, a world championship. The kids want to play.”

While he doesn’t want to look ahead, MacDonald said he has considered what it might take for his team to win the championship, especially if Cypress was to meet Taiwan in the final.

“If we play, we’ll have a chance if Kerry is on,” MacDonald said, referring to starting pitcher Kerry Cordero. “He’ll have to throw a lot of curveballs. He’ll have to have his hook. They (Taiwanese) love to hit fastballs. . . . Of course, we have to get there first. I just hope we don’t lose 21-1 like Irvine (Northwood) did three years ago.”

While the rain has dampened many spirits, it hasn’t hurt local business. Kids packed local souvenir shops, and parents and fans kept cash registers ringing at area stores--especially in fall clothing departments.

“The rain sure hasn’t hurt business,” said Jim Wilson, assistant manager at Hills Department Store, located across the street from the Little League complex. “Raincoats, ponchos, umbrellas . . . anything in slickers we’re pretty much out of. People came in shorts, now they have to buy jeans and jackets. We’re pretty happy about that.”