Little League reflections about Lamb

Laguna Hills, CA – While there is some down time from my amateur scouting duties, I happened to find the last game of the Little League World Series on television and could not help but reflect about my son, John Lamb, during his youth baseball career. He is no different from many other little boys throughout the country and world for that matter whom play the game of baseball early in their lives.

John started his organized baseball career during the spring of 1996 with the Saint Hedwig Pony League organization in Los Alamitos, CA in the T-Ball division. John was only five years-old during his first team experience on the baseball field.

Spring of 1996 - Saint Hedwig Pony League (T-Ball)

With talent and a little luck a small group of Little Leaguers converge on Williamsport, PA for the chance to become World Champions. Although there have been representatives from the Orange County, CA area before, Lamb was never a part of that Little League experience to play on national television. The last year he played for the Laguna Hills Little League All-Stars the team only had 2 games and a barbecue.

Shortly after our move to Laguna Hills back in 1997, we enrolled John into the Little League community. He played for 4 years before he indicated his strong desires to expand the challenges through a larger field dimension and different rules which were allowed in Pony League baseball. While most of his friends stayed with Little League, some joined him in the Laguna Niguel Pony League during the spring of 2002.

While there were the typical parent and coach conflicts during his youth, I made every attempt possible to stay involved during his early years of baseball, mostly from the dugout. Sure, I managed to upset some with my philosophy about pitching and hitting, but for the most part my duty as a parent was complete through my involvement and willingness to give other kids the same knowledge I was already providing my son. John showed a remarkable aptitude for the game very early in his life which was truly driven by his passion to play baseball.

Watching young boys play baseball simply brings out the greatness of the game and it is impossible for me not to reflect on my son’s journey. Boys turn into teenagers and then young men, but they are all just playing a game…baseball. Everyone can play in Little League; some will play in high school and college, while only a few others will be given the wonderful opportunity to play professional baseball. I can’t thank the Kansas City Royals enough for letting my little boy embark on his childhood dreams.

GO NORTHWEST ARKANSAS NATURALS!