Senior Softball World Series returns to Sussex

It's early August in southeastern Sussex County, so that means it's time for the annual Senior League Softball World Series at Lower Sussex Little League in Roxana.

More than 100 girls ages 13 to 16 on four international teams and six U.S. teams will compete over the next week to be crowned world champion. Representing Sussex County's District III this year are the girls from Woodbridge, the first team other than Laurel to represent the district since Nanitcoke in 2006.

“This is an awesome group of girls. I just can't say that enough,” said manager R.J. Bennett. “I can't use enough big, fancy words to describe them. They're all smart, intelligent girls.”

Woodbridge dropped its first game of the series 5-2 to the East region representatives from West Cumberland Little League in Cumberland, N.J. Woodbridge bounced back with a 9-5 win over Canada Aug. 6, and will be back in action Wednesday, Aug. 8 against the West region team from Northwest/Mile High Little League in Butte, Mont.

Bennett said the experience will be fun for the girls, but he's keeping his eyes on the prize.

“I'm between those lines,” he said. “That's where my entire focus is. We're taking it one day at a time, and one game at a time. With all this other stuff mixed in, it's still all about these four pool games.”

To win the district and earn a spot in the world series, Woodbridge had to defeat Laurel twice. Only three teams entered the District III tournament this year, but Woodbridge went unbeaten, beating Laurel 5-3 in the opening round and then 3-2 in the championship. Bennett said the girls have been playing together for about six years, and the district title and world series appearance means a lot to the community, especially to league president Dave Friedel and his wife Peggy.

“They put in so much work,” Bennett said. “They've converted their whole house into the office for the little league. We appreciate all the effort those guys put forth.”

World Series Director Martin Donovan said this is the 39th time the Senior League World Series is being held and the ninth time in Delaware.

“This is truly a world series,” he said. “Only one team will be crowned world champs, but all of them are champions.”

During the opening ceremonies Aug. 5, Donovan took the time to honor the lives of two longtime little league volunteers who passed away since last year's event. He presented plaques to the families of Gilbert Holt and George Cahill, and announced their initials would be included on a world series pin.

“We appreciate everything those gentlemen did for us through the years,” he said. “We truly miss them.”

The event will continue through Saturday, Aug. 11, when then championship game will be held at noon. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.

World Series teams

District III – Woodbridge Little League, Bridgeville/Greenwood, Del.

USA West – Northwest/Mile High Little League, Butte, Mont.

USA Southwest – Vidalia Girls Little League, Vidalia, La.

USA Southeast – Cape Coral Little League, Cape Coral, Fla.

USA East – West Cumberland Little League, Cumberland, N.J.

USA Central – District 11 Little League, South Bend, Ind.

Latin America – ASOFEM Little League, Maunabo, Puerto Rico

Europe, Middle East, Africa – League Lombardia, Lombardia, Italy

Canada – District 5 Little League, Windsor, Ontario

Asia-Pacific – Guarm District 1 Little League, Agana, Guam