Calexico 12U All-Star team on path to Williamsport

Small town team with big dreams has advanced to the Section 7 Tournament in San Diego.

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The Calexico 12U Little League All-Star team are slugging their way to the Little League World Series.

They have advanced to the Section 7 Tournament after defeating El Centro in the championship game last Friday.

Coach Ernesto Chong describes why his team has a good chance of making it to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

"I think the sky's the limit for them right now," says Chong. "What makes this team special is just the bond they have. They came from different teams and once they started practicing together they just bonded and they just help each other out."

Shortstop JJ Rosales, who hit a two run triple to put his team ahead and also made the game saving catch against El Centro couldn't agree more.

"My team is special because if we're down by a lot of runs, we find a way to come back", Rosales said.
"I felt really good because I helped my team to do something." 

Coach Chong says to prepare for the Section 7 Tournament in Spring Valley, the Calexico All-Stars are practicing three times a week.

"We are starting off with fundamentals and then from there, we go to a little bit more advanced skills," says Coach Chong. "When we're batting, we'll go to the tee then live pitching."

Chong believes the biggest challenge for his team is playing against teams that have more exposure.

"The biggest challenge is we're a small town or city going to San Diego. San Diego has way more resources, a lot more kids," says Coach Chong. "Our league is real small. We have three teams in our division and I can guess they have double or triple the kids and teams we have, so they have more exposure and way more places to practice. They have batting cages over there, more coaches, more experience with the coaches."

He says the way to overcome that is mind over matter.

"They're going to do it themselves," says Coach Chong. "They have heart, they're playing with their heart and they just want it. They want to win."

According to Coach Chong, all the players have leadership.

"It depends who's down but they just all pump each other up, so if they strike out, they all get together and pump the player up and tell them just wait for the next time," says Coach Chong.

JJ Rosales has his eyes on the prize.

"It feels good because I dreamed about it since I was a kid," says Rosales. "My ultimate dream is becoming a professional baseball player and playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers."

The road to the Little League World Series for the Calexico All-Stars continues Saturday July 16th in San Diego.

"The most exciting thing is seeing these kids have fun," says Coach Chong. "I mean it's hard to get to San Diego. The valley is real competitive and once we go to San Diego, our pressure comes down so I think we're going to have more fun and the kids are going to enjoy it more."