Mill Creek Little Leaguers finally calm on eve of World Series

In Williamsport, Pa., life finally calmed down Thursday. Thirteen boys from Mill Creek had played six baseball games in eight days in the hot California sun. Then they took a sleepless flight — how could they sleep? — across the country that led to a four-hour bus ride.

Finally, they had arrived — at the Little League World Series. A bunch of proud but tired 11- and 12-year-old boys are resting up for the biggest week of their young lives.

"The effects of the travel and the speed of things has worn them out," coach Scott Mahlum said.

In Mill Creek, life remained hectic. Families had flights to book, hotel rooms to find. They had to get to Williamsport quickly. The boys from the Mill Creek Little League team play their first game Saturday night.

"It's crazy, it's hectic, it's fun, it's awesome, it's expensive," said Kevin Todd, whose 6-foot-2 son, Jason, is one of the team's top pitchers. He added, "It wasn't easy to put together, but gosh, what's our choice?"

The parents quickly made a T-shirt — reading "Bring on the world" — that they have sold at Mill Creek Sports Cards, Mahlum's shop, to raise money to help the players' families with the high cost of travel.

In Williamsport, the team has been receiving letters of support — as many as 60 a night — from back home. Only four Washington teams have advanced this far since 1982, when the Kirkland Nationals team became regional and national heroes by defeating Taiwan to win the state's only World Series championship.

The boys from Mill Creek have spent their time practicing on Williamsport's pristine fields and doing ESPN interviews — all games will be televised nationally — and in their down time, going against kids from around the world in pingpong. They were part of a parade through Williamsport on Thursday, and the World Series opening ceremony is tonight.

Only eight teams of 11- and 12-year-olds advance to the Little League World Series from the United States, with each team advancing by winning its regional tournament. Mill Creek, an all-star team chosen from the more than 800 kids who play in the Mill Creek Little League, will represent the Northwest region.

The winner of the U.S. bracket plays the winner of the eight-team international bracket Aug. 26.

"When you look at this, we're one of the top 16 teams in the world for this age group, and that's really quite an accomplishment," said Ed Lundberg, president of the Mill Creek Little League.

Mill Creek could be one of the favorites to win. It has won each of its 15 games so far, from its own district tournament to last week's Northwest Regional in San Bernardino, Calif. In six regional wins, it outscored its opponents 80-8. Mill Creek hit 13 home runs, but its pitching staff was even better, allowing just one walk in the entire tournament.

"We had four or five of the best seven or eight pitchers in the region," Mahlum said. "The offense is pretty powerful, pretty potent. But pitching and defense win these games."

The team won Mill Creek's first regional championship with a 10-1 victory against Murrayhill from Beaverton, Ore., the defending Northwest champion. Because the Great Lakes Regional championship went into extra innings, viewers watching on ESPN in Mill Creek saw only the last half-inning.

Just in time to catch the celebration that followed.

"I think I'll remember the pure joy on those kids' faces after the last out," Kevin Todd said. "That scene, the mob at the pitching mound when they tackled each other."

Tom Wyrwich: 206-515-5653 or twyrwich@seattletimes.com