The Pride of Mission Viejo

Once it was Olympic-level swimmers who brought national sports attention to Mission Viejo. Then the city became known for soccer, especially when it was chosen as the training center for the American team in the 1994 World Cup. Now it’s Little League baseball.

The South Mission Viejo Little League team won the western regional championship and is in Williamsport, Pa., this week vying for the grand prize against teams from other U.S. regions and, if it claims the American title, competing against an international team for the world championship.

The team triumphed Tuesday over a squad from Dyer, Ind., 9-0, giving up only one hit. A Mission Viejo boy connected for a grand slam. All that came as no surprise to Mission Viejo residents, who have done a loud and commendable job of cheering this team on. Many whose Little League days ended years or even decades ago showed up for the games. So did many of the players’ parents, who shelled out for nonrefundable airline tickets and hotel deposits even before the team had clinched a spot at Williamsport. They came armed with noisemakers, pennies inside empty soda cans, and when security officers at Williamsport invoked a “no cans” rule they put the pennies in plastic water bottles.

Meanwhile, the youngsters are taking it all in stride. They’re playing baseball, enjoying themselves. It’s a thrill and an honor for Southern California to have an Orange County team in the championship competition series. And the youngsters remind us what sports is all about: the challenge and the fun. If the Mission Viejo players bring home the championship, that will be glorious gravy.