LYNN — The 2022 New England Regional Champions, the Greater Lynn Babe Ruth 15s, have made it to Virginia and will set their sights on taking home a Babe Ruth World Series crown.
The champs will open up their World Series run beginning in pool play format on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 3:30 p.m. against EAU Claire, Wisconsin.
“We keep on saying we did not come this far just to come this far. They are a mature group; they understand the task at hand and hopefully what it takes to win some games out here at this level,” said Lynn Manager Leon Elwell.
To get to this point, the team has run like a well-oiled machine, and some of its main strengths have been its pitching and defense.
“We are really deep in our pitching, and for the most part, we play really good defense. Our guys, they know where to be all the time — as far as backing up plays and things like that, we have a really good catcher, he does a really good job handling the pitching staff,” said Elwell.
“Just overall, I think we are sound defensively, and we have a really, really deep pitching staff.”
Getting off to a strong start will also be essential for the champs to go on a long run in pursuit of a World Series title.
“You always want to get off to a strong start. I think that has been one of our best attributes so far; nine times out of 10, we jump out early, and once you do that, you put the pressure right on the other team from the get-go,” said Elwell.
Before Lynn begins its first pool play games, teams will also benefit from a warm-up game that will run for 60 minutes in what will almost be like a practice against an opponent from the opposite division.
Although Elwell says he is not putting too much stock in the warm-up games, he thinks it may help the players relax on such a big stage.
“Maybe they get a little bit of the nerves out in those 60 minutes. Just going through the preparation of taking BP (batting practice), doing all the warm-ups prior to and going out on the field and playing another opponent,” said Elwell.
“Just to get out there in that environment will maybe put everybody at ease.”
For Elwell, at the end of the day, it all comes down to playing the game the kids have been playing for most of their lives.
“We just have to go out and play baseball. We just have to keep doing the things we have been doing once we step on the field. It is up to the coaches to make sure these guys get their rest off the field, and it is up to us to get them ready to play. But once they step on the field, it is the same game they have been playing since they were 5-years-old,” said Elwell.
As Lynn’s first game rapidly approaches, there is no doubt that the team will do everything in its power to extend what has been a magical summer even further.
“They are going to get a once-in-a-lifetime experience; they already got a little bit of a taste of it today when they were tying on their World Series uniforms, getting their pictures taken, they got their lanyards and stuff, but we did not come out here just to turn around and go home,” said Elwell.
For more information on watching the games and following along on the champs’ journey, visit https://baberuthworldseries.org/#/event/446.
