[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 115 (Thursday, September 4, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8834-S8835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRATULATING THE SOUTH MISSION VIEJO LITTLE LEAGUE

   Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate the 
South Mission Viejo Little League team, the U.S. national champions, 
for their outstanding 1997 season. All Americans, and all Californians, 
are very proud of them.
  The Little League World Series has become a national tradition. Every 
year, the best Little Leaguers from all over the world come to 
Williamsport, PA to compete in the world championship. Participants 
leave with lifelong memories and lasting friendships.
  The journey to the Little League World Series is a rigorous one. It 
demands the highest levels of teamwork, talent, and perseverance. South 
Mission Viejo reached the World Series by winning 21 of 22 games over a 
3-month stretch against the toughest competition in the United States.
  Manager Jim Gattis and coaches Allen Elconin, and Ed Sorgi guided 
these 11- and 12-year-olds first through the Division 55 tournament in 
San Clemente, then through the sectional playoffs in Santa Ana, and 
finally through the Division 2 playoffs in La Puente to determine the 
southern California champions. After winning all three of these 
tournaments, South Mission Viejo was on their way to San Bernardino, 
the site of the western regional championship.
  After trouncing New Mexico 11-1, South Mission Viejo went on to 
defeat Arizona and Oregon to reach the western regional semifinals--a 
rematch with Oregon. A 3-run home run in the top of the fourth inning 
gave South Mission Viejo a 11-1 lead, and the game ended under the 
league's 10-run mercy rule.
  The final game, against the team from Sunnyvale, CA, was a classic 
pitching duel. South Mission Viejo pitching rang up 11 strike-outs 
while Sunnyvale countered with 7 of their own. But in the end, South 
Mission Viejo squeezed by with a 2-1 victory, earning them a chance to 
compete in the Little League World Series.
  They dominated the tournament from day one, winning all three of 
their first-round games. In the second game, against Dyer, IN, South 
Mission Viejo once again displayed the depth of its pitching talent. 
Three teammates nearly made Little League World Series history by 
pitching a combined perfect game--the pitching staff missed scoring a 
no-hitter by a single in the last inning.
  The game for the national championship was a rematch of a first-round 
game against Bradenton, FL. It was another typical South Mission Viejo 
victory, a mix of consistent hitting, solid fielding, and strong 
pitching. Their victory earned South Mission Viejo the right to compete 
in the world championships.
  The final game was played before 37,000 fans and an international 
television audience. As most Americans know, South Mission Viejo jumped 
to an early lead, only to fall to a heartbreaking rally in the last 
inning by Guadalupe, Mexico. For only the second time in 3 months, 
South Mission Viejo lost a baseball game.
  In defeat, as in victory, South Mission Viejo represented our Nation 
with honor and dignity. They played hard and they played fair, earning 
the respect of Americans everywhere.
  But they couldn't have done it without the unflagging support and 
enthusiasm of their parents, their families, and the thousands of 
volunteers who put so much time and effort into making Little League a 
reality. These people are at the heart of the success of the Little 
League--not just in Mission Viejo but all across the nation. It is not 
an easy job, and too often goes unheralded. I applaud the commitment of 
the Mission Viejo community to their team, and I congratulate them on a 
job well done.
  I wish every member of the South Mission Viejo team the best of luck 
in the coming school year, and in future seasons. Congratulations.
  Mr. President, I ask that the complete roster of the U.S. National 
Little League Champions be printed in the record.
  The roster follows:

       Taylor Bennett, Mike Cusick, Adam Elconin, Gavin Fabian, 
     Gary Gattis, Brian Kraker, Chad Lucas, Nick Moore, Andrew

[[Page S8835]]

     Nieves, Greg Oates, Ryan O'Donovan, Adam Sorgi, Ashton White, 
     Jim Gattis, Manager, Al Elconin, Coach, Ed Sorgi, 
     Coach.

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