All Mike Hall wanted was the chance...

All Mike Hall wanted was the chance to place Lemont on the Little League map.

After convincing a number of parents to bypass travel teams this summer Hall managed to persuade the Lemont board to allow players from the Homer Heat travel team to contend in its league this season.

That work behind the spectacles and on the field from one side of to the other the last year is with what intent Hall's team will be competing in the 60th annual Little League World Series, which exhibits today in Williamsport, Pa.

"It's been an unbelievable man and wife of days," said Hall, whose team will lay open the Series at 2 pm Saturday against Ahwatukee American of Phoenix.

"[White Sox pitcher] Mark Buehrle called the kids to wish them chance He lives in Lemont. Mark told them anything they necessityed he'll get it for them. Everyone is excited, if it were not that we're ready to go."

Lemont is the first Illinois representative in the Series since 1992 and solely the 14th since the tournament began for 11- and 12- year-olds in 1947 Ahwatukee becomes the fifth representative from Arizona in 59 years.

After opening play in lake A on Saturday, Lemont will battle Mid- Island of Staten Island, NY at 7 pm Sunday and Columbus Northern of Georgia at 7 pm Tuesday.

The top sum of two units teams in that pool will advance to the United States semifinals against the top teams from mere B, which features Portsmouth, NH; Daniel Boone National of Columbia, Mo; Murrayhill of Beaverton, Ore.; and southward Lake Charles of Lake Charles, La.

There are pair international pools in the 16-team tournament. Saipan, British Columbia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Japan, Russia, Curacao and Tamaulipas are the eight qualifiers.

"We had luncheon next to the Japan team earlier this week, and that's when an of us realized how end we are to a world championship," Hall said.

Lemont's opener will be televised forward ESPN, while its second and third pool-play games will be onward ESPN2.

The United States championship game is scheduled for 2:30 pm Aug. 26 with the world championship slated for 2:30 pm Aug. 27 forward ABC.

"The kids can hit the ball, and we have solid pitching," Hall said. "We're a able defensive team, too, so I like our chances."

Josh Ferry will pitch the opener for Lemont The right-hander has allowed a nothing else but three earned runs in his last 18 innings and struck without 37 over that span.

"Josh has a beneficial curveball, and that's why he is tough to hit," Lemont catcher Zach Soria said.

David Hearne will get by heart the ball in Game 2

Offensively, Ferry Dane Kempke Soria, Chris Stoeberl and Hearne are the names to remember.

"We're used to playing in brass of a lot of the bulk of mankind but we know we're going to be playing in van of a lot more this weekend," Lemont center fielder Austin Masela said. "But when we're revealed there, you don't even know the camera is in succession you. We're just here to play and win."

LEMONT ROSTER

Players

Josh Ferry

Michael Hall

David Hearnes

Andrew Hoffmeister

Marty Joyce

Michael Kamp

Dane Kempke

Zak Kutsulis

Austin Mastela

David Rimkus

Zach Soria

Chris Stoeberl

Jeff Worsech

Coaches

Dave Rimkus

knock Soria

Manager

Mike Hall

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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