Three Cheers for Cypress All-Stars

The Cypress Federal Little League all-star baseball team returned to Southern California last week after a sparkling season and a memorable trip to Williamsport, Pa.

The boys had plenty to cheer about, and all of Orange County is proud of them. They showed parents, friends and supporters around the county their athletic accomplishment and fine sportsmanship en route to completing a wonderful year.

The team was knocked out of contention for the world championship on Aug. 26, but not before arriving in the capital of the Little League world as the only undefeated contender. The pain of elimination was eased by a postgame team huddle, and any laments quickly gave way to justifiable pride in the achievements of the long season. The parents who made the trek to Pennsylvania and friends back home at the local pizza restaurant where the game was seen on national television saw their youngsters reach for the heights.

Having been brought down to earth, the kids put things in perspective: “It’s bad, but it’s not that bad,” said Nathan Lara to his father after the final game. “I’ve felt better, but I’ve felt worse too.” It was a good perspective that could serve for many of life’s disappointments.

Others were philosophical about the game itself. Zach Wesley arrived home from Williamsport with the observation that on any day, any of the good teams present could have won. In his estimation, his own squad was the best of the bunch, afflicted at a critical turn with a case of silent bats.

With these assessments under their belts, the boys were treated to a festive parade last week along the streets of Cypress, attended by a cheering crowd of 800. Experiences like these are great for the youngsters and great for the community.

All the parents and volunteers who have made this and other baseball programs so rewarding for the county’s youngsters deserve a well-done. Orange County regularly fields championship-caliber Little League teams, as was evident in the visit made last year to Williamsport by a team from Mission Viejo.

For these youngsters who have reached the heights and nearly reached the very top, let the band play on. They have put a ray of sunshine into our warm late summer.