Sports
Largo Little Leaguers Honored with On-Field Appearance Before Rays Game
The two clubs that won district titles this year joined other local teams before Tampa Bay Ray's game against Boston on Friday.
The Greater Largo Little League was fortunate to have not one but two of its All Star teams win championships this summer.
As a reward for their efforts, the Junior and Senior League All Star squads were honored in a pre-game ceremony at Tropicana Field this past Friday night.
Prior to the Tampa Bay Rays game against the Boston Red Sox, the two Largo squads as well as dozens of other local Little League teams were invited to walk around the outfield, toting their respective championship banners while their names were announced and pictures displayed on the large video board.
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It was a special way to wrap up what was a spectacular season for the players and coaches who were part of a history-making run for Largo.
"It was a tremendous honor to be part of the Rays pregame ceremonies,” said senior league head coach Bob Gibree, whose team became the first Largo squad ever to win a state championship.
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“I would like to thank the Largo Little League board of directors and all the Rays staff who made it possible."
Juniors head coach Rick Short, whose team won the District 12 championship, was equally impressed with the entire event.
"Winning the District 12 All-Stars was a great experience for the kids, and to get together and be recognized for their accomplishments on the field before the Rays game makes it that much better," he said.
In addition to the on-field appearance, the Rays paid for all the coaches and players’ tickets to the game, and the team gave group discounts to family members who wished to attend.
According to GLLL president Dottie Mazzucco, there were 87 players and parents from Largo who attended the event.
As the players and their families watched the Rays knock off the hated Red Sox by a score of 7-2, there was universal praise for the pregame ceremony.
Comments like “that was awesome” and “now I know what it’s like to be on a major league baseball field” were tossed around between the boys, but it wasn’t just the kids who were impressed with the experience.
“I didn’t think it was going to be that big of a deal, to tell you the truth,” said senior league assistant coach Frank Weiss.
“But after being out there on that field, I realized that was really cool!”