North Ottawa Youth Softball Association, Michigan Major Girls Softball Champs.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

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North Ottawa Wins Little League Girls Majors State Tournament

North Ottawa Downs St. Clair 7-0 but everyone leaves as winners

July 21, 2013       Leave a Comment
By: John Keuvelaar

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Tuesday it came down to pitching and North Ottawa, out of the Grand Haven area, had it. Early runs and St. Clair miscues kept the game out of reach as NOYSA recorded their first State Championship. But as much as we crowned a Girls Major Little League State Champion at the Essexville Hampton LL field, North Ottawa was not the only winners.

First and foremost were the girls that participated in the tournament. Having watched all 31 games, the degree of sportsmanship displayed by players, coaches and parents was exemplary.

Watching the games in the baking sun, parents chanted, dads and moms got silly and the girls played hard, celebrating in great plays despite the score and quickly shrugging off mistakes to get ready for the next play. While the sporting news tends to focus on what is wrong in sports, including youth sports, Little League continues to show what is right. Players put forth total effort, even when over-matched or out-played.

Umpires make great calls and yes mistakes and nobody gets carried away. Coaches accept calls, encourage their players and remind those that are upset at their lack of success that this is fun and to enjoy the moment. What I have found amazing is that the more these teams advance in the tournament, and the more there is at stake, the more the fans are supportive of not only their own, but of opponents, umpires and their own coaches.

Parents and coaches were winners as they took great pride in the daughter's success while pulling for each other. For many, they got to enjoy watching them play on some of the finest facilities many will ever experience. All this while eating fine ballpark fare and visiting a different part of the state.

Finally, the good people of Essexville-Hampton Little League and the Bay City area got to show off their fine city in exceptional fashion. The great weather allowed the families to enjoy the Tall Ships, State Park and Loons games as well as the hotel pools. Many folks were heard to say they will come back here in the future.

The seven day event was a welcome escape from life's issues and showed the fun and spirit of youth sports and Girls Little League Softball. You are invited to view the pictures of this week's joys and excitement at the fields.

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John Keuvelaar
John Keuvelaar is a college student at Midwest Photography Workshops and Delta College. More from John Keuvelaar

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