It rained on their parade .... but that wasn’t going to stop BoerneNation from welcoming home its Little League World Series heroes.
Boerne baseball fans — and probably others who’d never seen a baseball game before last week— packed the Hill Country Mile Monday to see the Boerne Little League team return from its adventure-of-a-lifetime in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The dozen 10-to-12-year-olds put Boerne on the national— and international — map as they played their way to the U.S. Little League World Series championship. The wins ended there, as Boerne fell to eventual world champion Florida, but that did not diminish what these kids accomplished in their two weeks in Pennsylvania.
The Boerne Little League World Series team en-joys their vantage point during Monday’s “ Wel-come Back” parade down the Hill Country Mile. Star photo by Kerry Barboza
Star photo by Jeff B. Flinn
Star photo by Jeff B. Flinn After a police escort brought the team members and coaches down Main Street, the masses rallied around the Main Plaza pavilion to greet the players as they were introduced.
Chris Carey, Boerne Little League President, was one of several speakers to address the crowd, leading them in cheers of “Boerne! Texas!”
“There are 7,000 little league teams in the world. We got down to number 4,” Carey said, drawing the round of applause you’d expect to hear from a Boerne, Texas crowd.
“We thought with the rain ... that it was going to be a small gathering. This is awesome,” Carey said.
Speaking to his team, six seated on each side of the pavilion, Carey said, “Guys, this shows, right here, how many people were back home supporting you guys through this adventure.”
Boerne Mayor Frank Ritchie thanked the parents, coaches and little league staff that dedicated their summer to putting the team on the threshold of a championship.
“You put Boerne on a national stage, the world stage. That’s something you can never ever take away from you,” Ritchie said. “You guys are champions, not only in Little League, but in life.”
Ritchie thanked the community that rallied around the team, turning out for dozens of watch parties during the team’s run in Williamsport.
“You made every single person who calls Boerne home, proud,” he said. “You embodied the very best of what Boerne is. Thank you for being men of character.
“You represented our community well on a global stage. People now know the proper way to say ‘Boerne, Texas,’” he added.
Fair Oaks Ranch Mayor Greg Maxton continued the praise of the team’s practice, hard work and sportsmanship.
“What an exciting adventure for the team, and for us to witness what you’ve gone through,” Maxton said. He told the team how their efforts helped unite the community back at home, which watched and supported the team through the entire series.
“Thank you for what you’ve done for this community and the history you have made for the city of Boerne,” he added.
Boerne ISD Superintendent Dr. Kristin Craft welcomed the team, most of whom attend school in Boerne classrooms.
We were with you every play, every game, the highs and the lows,’ Craft said. “We were cheering for you. We even let your classmates out of class to go watch the game.”
She praised the team for what it accomplished and said she is excited to see what the boys do in their baseball careers and school careers.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you in school tomorrow,” she said, drawing a rumble of laughter from the crowd. “And I can’t guarantee whether you’ll have homework or not, but ... your teammates and classmates are excited to welcome you back to school.”
Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce Kim Blohm, who opened the celebration behind the mic, thanked the businesses that turned out Monday and helped make the “Welcome Back” celebration happen with their support.
“I want to thank each and every one of you for being here today to show your support. It was rain or shine, baby,” Blohm said, acknowledging the torrential rain that fell about a half-hour prior to the parade.
“Guys, this shows right here, how many people were back home supporting you guys through this adventure.”
Chris Carey Boerne Little League President
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