Urbandale Little League Team Looks to Little League World Series

Dozens of proud parents crammed into the Overtime Sports Bar and Grill Thursday night to help support the Urbandale Little League All-Star Team.

The fundraiser is raising monies that will go toward travel expenses as the boys attempt to take the Region title. Teammates will wake at 6 a.m. tomorrow and travel to the Region Tournament in Fort Wayne, Ind., eight hours away. They'll play four pool games over the weekend, with the winning game being played on Tuesday. If they win, it's off to Michigan for the World Series.

"The team has really come along the last couple weeks," said manager and coach Todd Kimm. "They know the competition is going to be really tough."

Kimm said the 13- and 14-year-olds have been practicing about nine hours a week, working through the Iowa heat. As a team, they are undefeated, although they did have a close call at the state tournament recently in Webster City.

"They scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning," said Pat McGuire, a parent to Brendan, 15, on the team. The final score of the game was 10-9, Urbandale. "It was a nailbiter!"

The Little League president, Tony Perez, said it was overwhelming to see so many people turn out for the fundraiser.

"It's nice to see we have a small-town feel in a big community," Perez said.

Perez also has a son, Keegan, 14, who plays on the team.

"It's kind of fun seeing them grow from individuals to one team unit," Perez said. "They're great representatives of our community."

Are you a parent or member of the team? Let us know in the comments if you're headed out to Fort Wayne! We'd love to post your pictures or video of the games this weekend! And good luck!