Eagle Pass Little League Junior Softball All-Stars open World Series play against Latin America

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The 2014 United States Southwest Little League Junior Softball Team, represented by the Eagle Pass Little League Junior Softball All-Stars, open play at the 2014 Little League Junior Softball World Series in Kirkland, Washington against Latin America, represented by Mexicali, Mexico, on Sunday, August 10, 2014, at 5:30 P.M. Pacific Standard Time (7:30 P.M. Central Standard Time).

The City of Eagle Pass and Luby’s Cafeteria hosted a reception for the Eagle Pass All-Stars on Friday, August 8th, at Luby’s Cafeteria in Eagle Pass to congratulate them on their 2014 Southwest Little League Junior Softball Championship in Santa Fe, New Mexico and to wish them well in the 2014 Little League Junior Softball World Series in Kirkland, Washington during August 10-16th.

Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu, accompanied by City Council Members Gloria E. Hernandez and William “Billy” Davis, read a proclamation honoring the 2014 Eagle Pass Little League Junior Softball All-Stars for their Southwest Little League Junior Softball Championship in Santa Fe, New Mexico and wish them well at the Little League World Series.

Eagle Pass All-Stars will also play on Monday, August 11th, against the United States East All-Stars, represented by the West Point Little League of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, at 11 A.M. Pacific Standard Time (1P.M. Central Standard Time) and two games on Tuesday, August 12th, against the United States West All-Stars, represented by the Sunnyside Little League of Tucson, Arizona, at 10:45 A.M. Pacific Standard Time (12:45 P.M. Central Standard Time) and against the Europe/Africa All-Stars, represented by the Lombardia Little League of Milan, Italy at 4:45 P.M. Pacific Standard Time (6:45 P.M. Central Standard Time). After their first three pool games, Eagle Pass All-Stars will play on Wednesday, August 13th, depending upon their pool play record.

There are 10 teams from all over the world playing at the 2014 Little League Junior Softball World Series, including the Asia/Pacific All-Stars represented by the Provice of Iloilo Softball Little League of Iloilo, Phillipines; the Canada All-Stars represented by the Hampton Little League of Victoria, British Columbia; the Europe/Africa All-Stars represented by the Lombardia Little League of Milan, Italy; the Latin America All-Stars represented by the Mexicali, Mexico Little League of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico; the United States Central All-Stars represented by the Jeff/GRC American Little League of Jeffersonville, Indiana; the United States East All-Stars represented by the West Point Little League of Greensburg, Pennsylvania; the United States Southeast All-Stars represented by the Fort Myers American Little League of Fort Myers, Florida; the United States West All-Stars represented by the Sunnyside Little League of Tucson, Arizona; the Host Team represented by the Kirkland American and National Little League of Kirkland, Washington; and the United States Southwest All-Stars represented by the Eagle Pass Softball Little League of Eagle Pass, Texas.

“This is a dream come true for us,” said Eagle Pass pitcher Connie Hernandez. “Our team has worked very hard to get to the World Series and will do our best to win the World Series Championship,” added Hernandez.

“Our girls are very proud and excited to be representing Eagle Pass and Southwest United States at the 2014 Little League Junior Softball World Series,” said Team Manager Willie Ruiz. “These young ladies have been playing together since they were 10 years old and each year they kept improving and getting closer to the World Series until they finally reached their goal this year,” added Ruiz.

“We like to thank Texas District 35 Administrator Gerald “Gerry” McCrary of Del Rio, Texas, the City of Eagle Pass, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, Luby’s Cafeteria, and all the businesses and people of Eagle Pass who have supported us in getting to the Little League Junior Softball World Series in Kirkland, Washington,” said Assistant Coach Sonny Snyder.

Team members include Connie Hernandez, Lizann “Heather” Ruiz, Lynet Gil, Karina Ruiz, Daniela Rodriguez, Isabella Ruiz, Janessa Garza, Leenette Krezdorn, Kayla Ochoa, Emily Snyder, Elena De Alba, Joelynn “JoJo” Gonzalez, and Marichelo Flores.

Team Manager is Willie Ruiz and Assistant Coaches are Sonny Snyder and Mac De Alba.

The Eagle Pass Business Journal congratulates the Eagle Pass Little League Junior Softball All-Stars on winning the 2014 Southwest Little League Junior Softball Championship and wishes them all the best at the 2014 Little League Junior Softball World Series. Go Eagle Pass!