Little League manager imparts lessons learned

By: CRAIG TENBROECK - Staff Writer | Wednesday, January 4, 2006 11:40 PM PST ∞

VISTA ---- Each of the 12 players on the Rancho Buena Vista All-Stars Little League Team has enough talent to play high school baseball, but because of their rapidly changing bodies and inevitably wandering interests, only half of them probably will, manager Marty Miller said Wednesday.

"Life happens," Miller said.

Wearing his red "Little League World Series" polo shirt and trademark handlebar moustache, the 54-year-old Miller regaled 30 members of the Rotary Club of Vista with tales of his team's remarkable season and its summer journey to South Williamsport, Pa., for the Little League World Series.

"Kalen Pimentel is the real deal," Miller said of the team's ace pitcher, who tied a Little League World Series record with 18 strikeouts in a single game.

People who watched the games on TV often remarked that Pimentel, with his goatee and powerful arm, was too big to be a 12-year-old. But Miller said several of the team's opponents dwarfed him ---- in size, not ability.

The RBV team enjoyed a 24 game winning streak before losing to Ewa Beach, Hawaii, in the U.S. Championship game. The North County squad finished in the top three and returned home to a heroes' welcome.

Miller told the crowd he's signed up to help coach next year, but won't be a manager. After the emotional highs and lows of this season, he's ready for a break.

"We think the Padres could use you," joked a Rotarian in the lunch crowd.

Miller said the biggest mistake he saw other managers make during the series was not trusting their pitchers to endure tough spots. Time and time again, he said, opposing managers would pull their ace pitchers after opponents managed a few hits.

"We never gave up on a pitcher ever, during our whole run," Miller said, and the coaching staff's confidence trickled down to his entire team.

Two players ---- Royce Copeland and Nate Lewis ---- suffered what were initially thought to be sore arms during the tournament. But when they returned home, they were diagnosed with fractured growth plates in their shoulders, Miller said.

Reached Wednesday afternoon, parents for both boys said they had fully recovered and were back playing sports.

Lewis' injury was more severe, and could have been aggravated when he fell off a bunk bed, said his father, Jim. But that didn't stop him from trying to pitch in the U.S. Championship game.

"These two kids, they would have played regardless," Jim said. "They were determined."

Spending time away from home was a coming of age for the 12-year-olds. "They completely grew up," Miller said. "They got past the cat fights and started helping each other like young men."

"I don't know if you realize how much pride their is in the community for these kids," said Rotarian Don White after the presentation. "I watched every game."

Contact staff writer Craig TenBroeck at (760) 631-6621 or ctenbroeck@nctimes.com.

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.