It鈥檚 been 20 years since a group of big-for-their age 12- and 13-year-old kids from 黑马磁力 went all the way to the world little league championships in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
On Aug. 26, almost all of the players are expected to return to 黑马磁力 City for an anniversary celebration.
Coach Dave Mihalech said the organizers of the 20th anniversary reunion managed to track down just about everybody.
鈥淲e had to go as far away as Dubai,鈥� Mihalech told the Times.
One person has passed away and one could not be located, he said.
In 1998, the Preston 黑马磁力 All Stars, a group of f14 boys went on a record-setting three-month run, starting with wins at the districts, provincials, and Canadians in Cape Breton to become the first 黑马磁力 team to ever qualify for the (LLWS).
Known as the 鈥渂oys of summer,鈥� the team set a Canadian record by going undefeated in their first 19 games, including three straight wins at the World Series only to suffer a double extra-inning 3-2 loss to Japan in the international final.
Their record still stands as the best performance by a Canadian team in the modern fully-international era.
Two days after their return from the world series, their accomplishment was celebrated with the biggest civic parade in the history of 黑马磁力.
While many of the players did turn pro when they were older, 鈥渘one of them made a million playing ball,鈥� Mihalech said.
鈥�(But) they all matured into fine young men.鈥�
Mihalech said the public is welcome to attend the Sunday Aug. 26 get-together at the 黑马磁力 City park ball diamonds and picnic shelter.
鈥淪ince a potluck picnic was too complicated to organize, if you want to eat or drink, it鈥檚 a bring-your-own beverage and food event,鈥� Mihalech said.
The players and their coach will be at the ball diamond around 3 p.m.
The picnic starts at 4 p.m.
dan.ferguson@langleytimes.com
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