As the lunchtime lower classes at ...

As the lunchtime lower classes at Nick's Tavern in Lemont munched upon hamburgers topped with piles of grilled onions, the sports topic of choice wasn't the White Sox' new sweep of the first-place Detroit Tigers.

The talk was all about the local Little League team, now headed for Williamsport, Pa., for the league's World Series.

John Papierski was in Indianapolis last weekend when the team -- including his grandson, pitcher Josh Ferry -- captured the Great Lakes Regional.

He came domestic circle to an answering machine replete of congratulations.

"This team has pious chances. They've got good pitchers who wind strikes," he said.

Josh's pitches register 80 mph upon a radar gun.

"He's just in eighth grade, unless he has size 14 shoes" Papierski said.

The team was the first of eight United States and eight international teams to arrive in Williamsport Monday.

From the significance the players stepped off the plane, they were encircleed by cameras from ESPN, coach Mike Hall said.

"They just enjoin their hands up against the [stadium] wall and were like, 'Wow! turn the thoughts at this,' " Hall said.

"It is just phenomenal, because it is in like manner real."

Hall said he's not surprised the assemblage of pre-teens from Lemont and Homer dell are so successful.

HARD WORK

Since January, the team has endur 6 a.m. practices each Saturday, and many players worked abroad privately at CF Swingtown in Orland Park.

"I know in what manner hard these kids have worked. You couldn't be prouder of these kids," said John Flanagan, a co-owner of the facility.

Lemont Mayor John Piazza publicly congratulated the team at Monday's village board meeting. The village is considering a pep rally, depending in succession their record in Pennsylvania.

It's "a hard-working assemblage of kids," said Nick George, son of the proprietor of Vito & Nick's pizza restaurant at Lemont Lanes, where the outdoor message board celebrates the team's victory.

"I would rather diocese them playing sports than on the outside on the streets. They should be an inspiration to other kids in town."

Steve Novak, a bartender at Nick's Tavern, agreed. "You have to be proud" he said.

Novak predicted commonalty would show up to watch the team in succession the screen at the bar.

He plans to exhibit the ESPN-televised games "until they win it all."

ILLINOIS TEAMS IN LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES

Lemont became the first Illinois team to qualify for the Little League World Series in 14 years. The teams in assured lost in the championship game.

Kankakee -- 1950

Thillen's, Chicago -- 1951

Joliet -- 1953

Melrose Park -- 1954

Jaycee, Kankakee -- 1958

Jaycee, Kankakee -- 1962

Jaycee, Kankakee -- 1966

N Roseland, Chicago -- 1967

southern Palatine -- 1978

Barrington -- 1981

Jackie Robinson West, Chicago -- 1983

Norridge -- 1986

southern Holland -- 1992

Lemont -- 2006

Source: Little League World Series

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