Softball World Series

My name is Michelle Tilson and I played with McLean Little League in the 2004 World Series. I mainly played short stop, but also caught and played second base some. Playing in the Little League World Series was the most special and even life changing events of my life. I was always been a shy child and was horrified that I would be staying with a "host family" instead of in a dorm as the boys do or with my own family. However, the family I stayed with were absolutely wonderful and I was soon very comfortable with them and they made me feel right at home. Little League Softball makes this such a special event that even though I moved on to travel ball and have played in many many tournaments over the years including 4 ASA National Championships, none have ever compared to the experience I had there in Portland. I came out of that All Star season a much more confident and outgoing individual.

I am now a rising high school senior and play both school ball as well as travel ball for the Vienna Stars Gold team and recently committed to play softball for St. Johns University in NYC.

To this day, when asked what my greatest moment in softball is or I am asked to write about a special or life changing experience, I always say it was playing in the Little League Softball World Series and I want to thank everyone who works so hard on this event to know how special it is and how much your work is appreciated and means to the girls who play there.

While I will certainly never forget the World Series of 2005 when my daughter Sophie's McLean Little League team won the title, my single truly fondest Alpenrose memory came the year before after McLean's loss in the finals of the 2004 WS. Sophie's sister Madeleine was on the 2004 team. Like so many others who've been lucky enough to succeed at the local, state, and regional All Star tournament levels, and finally make it to the World Series Madeleine and the rest of our family was awestruck with the entire experience. So much so that after the final game, in spite of the fact we had been thoroughly shellacked by Waco, TX and lost 18-5 the true meaning of the experience came through. After all the tears had stopped flowing; the pictures were all taken; the medals handed out; the lights were being turned off at Alpenrose stadium and folks started heading for home. Madeleine and I were walking back to the parking lot together on a quite beautiful summer evening in Portland--just the two of us. Neither one of us said a word for a long time and as we walked along side-by-side I started to wonder just how upset Madeleine was about not winning the game. After a few moments she turned to me and said...."This was the best summer I ever had." At that moment the real meaning of the entire experience really hit home.
Thanks to all for making it so special for my family.
Joe