SUBMITTED PHOTO
The Medicine Hat Major U12AAA Mavs pose with the Little League Alberta championship banner Wednesday night at Calgary.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The Medicine Hat Major U12AAA Mavs manifested their spot at Canada’s Little League Championship.
Before the season began, head coach Steven Russell posted the words, ‘We are going to be hip,’ on the team’s practice board.
What his players and even some coaches didn’t know, he was referring to the Tragically Hip and their hometown of Kingston, Ont. where the National Little League Championships are being held next week and where the Mavs will vie for a spot at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Penn.
The Mavs punched their nationals ticket with double-knockout wins Wednesday in Calgary over CalWest, winning 5-4 and 8-6. It was a pair of wins Russell says was the most special moment of his coaching career and one he says showcased the team’s adversity.
“These guys have battled through tournaments, ups and downs, we’ve won a tournament where we lost every round robin game,” Russell said.
“They’ve been able to deal with adversity in ways, they’ve proven their mental fortitude. The skills have just continued to improve throughout the year and that’s the piece I think that is really helpful is that defensive piece.”
The Mavs lost a semifinals matchup against CalWest on Sunday, falling 7-6 with Calgary’s top arm throwing in the game. They beat the Fish Creek Majors 14-2 on Tuesday to set up the double-knockout opportunity on Wednesday.
Russell says they had a blessing with CalWest’s top pitcher having thrown so much on the Sunday, he wasn’t available Wednesday and they took advantage. He credits the team’s ability to shake off any adversity and play with a maturity unexpected of 12 year olds.
“These kids through and through, when it’s said and done, they’ve followed the mantra of the team of win what is next,” Russell said.
“Get to the next inning, get to the next pitch, get to the next at bat, just keep your head up stay positive. Be sportsmanlike and always be a class act. That’s something they’ve done and what’s so special about this group,
He says they “stayed hip” all season and it’s paid off, with a chance at representing Canada on the big stage at the Little League World Series on the line. They’ll head to Kingston on Sunday and join the six other teams vying for the spot at Williamsport. The Mavs, who will represent Alberta, will face LL Ontario, LL Atlantic, LL B.C., LL Prairies, Quebec and the host, Kingston Colts.
The Mavs will have five round-robin games total, starting the tournament off July 30 at noon MST against B.C. They’ll face Quebec at noon July 31 and Atlantic at noon on Aug. 1. After an off day, the Mavs take on the Prairies team on Aug. 3 at 3:30 p.m., face the host Kingston Colts on Aug. 4 at noon and finish the round robin on Aug. 5 against the Ontario team.
The top four teams make it to the quarter-finals, and the Little League finals are Aug. 8.
The winning team will represent Canada at the Little League World Series at Williamsport, Penn. from Aug. 14-25.
Russell says they’re looking at the tournament in Kingston as an opportunity to extend the season and he says they’re just looking to do their best. He thanks the support they’ve received and he is looking forward to representing the city at that high of a level.
“It’s been really special being part of Medicine Hat, these boys have put on the Mavs jersey with pride,” Russell said. “They’ve gone out there and they’ve been a class act through and through, and really represented our city well. It makes me proud of that, I’m really proud.
