Little Leaguers Getting Big Welcome

The 13 players and three coaches of the South Mission Viejo All-Stars team paraded down Disneyland’s Main Street on Tuesday as cheering crowds accorded them a heroes’ welcome.

The team, which won the Little League National Championship title but lost the world title last Saturday to a team from Guadalupe, Mexico, rode in a double-decker bus to Sleeping Beauty Castle.

In a ceremony at the castle, the young ballplayers were awarded medals from Mickey Mouse and Hercules, and a crystal castle trophy was presented to the team.

“I’ve never been in a parade before,” said catcher Adam Elconin, 13. “It was kind of fun because lots of people saw us and cheered for us. You feel kind of special.”

Outfielder Taylor Bennett, 12, was a bit nervous about all the fanfare since he had to make a speech to thank everyone for the special recognition.

But after it was all over, Bennett and his teammates were glad to have the day off and spend it at the theme park.

“It’s like a big vacation,” Bennett said.

Indeed, the team’s capture of the national title even attracted major league attention.

The team was honored before Tuesday’s game between the Anaheim Angels and the Cleveland Indians at Anaheim Stadium.

The celebrations will continue with a rally at 5:30 p.m. today in the Saddleback College stadium and a scheduled television appearance Sept. 2 on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.”

Beaming parents, proud of the team’s accomplishment, agreed that the young athletes deserved the spotlight.

“Seeing your kids honored this way is so special,” Debbie Bennett, Taylor’s mother, said. “They worked very hard for what they got.”

Taylor’s father, Tony Bennett, added, “They’ve accomplished something all Little League teams hope they could accomplish.”

But for the players, the attention was unexpected.

“I didn’t think we’d get all this special treatment,” Elconin said. “Because we’re just normal kids.”