Uganda's Moment In The Sun

Uganda at the Opening Ceremonies
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This year's Little League's most inspiring and possibly best story just happened. It wasn't in an elimination game or a championship game. It didn't feature a powerhouse like a Japan or Chinese Taipei or a team from the US.  No, it featured a team from Lugazi, Uganda in a crossover game. 

This is the 1st ever team from Africa to compete at the Little League World Series. Last year, a team from Kampala, Uganda qualified for the tournament in Williamsport, PA. However, there were not allowed to play due to their visas being denied. In their spot, a team from Saudi Arabia represented the Middle East-Africa Region. 

To get to the Little League World Series, Uganda had to win the Middle East-Africa Regional Tournament. The tournament was held in Kutno, Poland. In the 1st game of the tournament, Uganda lost to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 1-2. That didn't faze them as the next day they defeated the team from Dubai, UAE, 6-0. On the 3rd day of the tournament, Uganda flattened Doha, Qatar, 13-1, and then beat the team from Kuwait City, Kuwait, 8-0. Their 3-1 record tied them with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for 1st place. Tie-breaking rules put Uganda and Kuwait in the finals. In the finals, Uganda defeated Kuwait, 5-2, 

In the 1st game in Williamsport vs. a team from Aguadulce, Panama representing Latin America, Uganda lost 9-3. Justine Makisimu got Africa's 1st hit in the 1st at-bat of the game. In the 6th inning, Daniel Alio hit a 2-run homer. The loss sent the team to face Mexico, who also lost their 1st game. In Game 2, Mexico 10 run-ruled Uganda 12-0. That eliminated Uganda from the tournament. But, teams that go 0-2 get to play in the a 3rd game that doesn't effect the tournament.

Daniel Alio tags out the runner trying to steal home
on a wild pitch
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In the crossover game, Uganda faced off against the representative from the Northwest Region of the US, Gresham, Oregon. Oregon lost their games to New Castle, Indiana from the Great Lakes Region, 0-4, and to the Mid-Atlantic's representative from Parsippany, NJ, 10-4. No one scored through the 3rd inning. Oregon broke that in the top of the 4th when they drove across 2 runs on a Hunter Hemenway triple. Uganda answered in their half of the inning when Alio scored on a wild pitch and then Felix Enzama scored on a passed ball. Oregon couldn't break the tie in their half of the inning. Uganda had runners on 1st and 2nd when Enzama hit a ground ball to 2nd base. The 2nd baseman threw the ball to the shortstop, who got the out at 2nd, and then made a wild throw to 1st. Due to the bad throw, the runner from 2nd scored. Uganda had the lead. Oregon rallied in the 6th, but they couldn't get a run across. Alio pitched a great game going 5.1 innings with 8 strikeouts. 

In my opinion, the play of the game happened in the top of the 6th with a runner on 1st. With a 3-1  count a strike was called on the batter. The batter tosses his bat, thinking that the pitch was ball four. The runner on 1st base was half way between bases, unsure of what happened. Uganda's catcher Makisimu was heads up and walked out to in front of the plate and then fired it to 2nd base who then threw it to 1st base where they got the runner. That play showed how far baseball has come in Africa. Not every player would know what to do in this game situation. 

This might be a sign of what is coming. Soon players from Uganda may be signed by major league clubs, maybe some will make it to the major leagues.  Uganda has never been a top sports country. At the 2012 Olympics, Uganda has won 2 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals. Stephen Kiprotich won the men's marathon at the 2012 Olympics. At the Commonwealth Games, they had 12 golds, 15 silvers, and 17 bronze medals. Their soccer team, the Cranes, has never been to a FIFA World Cup and the best they have done at the Africa Cup of Nations is 2nd. This is the start of something that might make Uganda more active. Every athlete would want to go play in front of the world in a world-class facility. Athletes, and others who want to be successful in life from Uganda can know believe that it is possible to be a factor in the world. This win might end up being bigger then baseball. 

Little League Cinderella Stopped Before Anything Started

This is crazy. The 2011 Little League World Series starts August 18th in South Williamsport, PA. 8 US teams and 8 international teams qualify for the tournament. In the LLWS's 65 year history there has been no team to qualify for Africa. But this year the Reverend John Foundation Little League Team from Uganda won the Middle East-Africa Region. However, tragedy struck the team yesterday as the US State Department rejected some their visa applications. 

Map of Uganda

Uganda's flag

Here's a background check on Uganda. It's capital is Kampala, which is also the home of the Rev. John Foundation Team. Uganda has two national languages, english and swahili. There s an estimated 34 million residents living in Uganda. It gained independence from the UK in 1963. It has an area of 236,040 km.

Here is what State Department spokesman Mark Toner said about the situation,"It is a difficult situation, I won't deny it. But you know, these cases are adjudicated by consular officials who look very closely at all the appropriate data, and they make their decisions based on that."

And here is what Stephen Keener, Little League Baseball and Softball President, said, "It is unfortunate, as we were very much looking forward to welcoming the first African team to the Little League Baseball World Series."

No, Steve, it is not unfortunate, it is tragic. The reasoning from the State Department was discrepancies in the Ugandans player's documents. What do you expect. It is hard to find and make these documents since some of their parents and guardians are illiterate and birth certificates are scarce. You can't blame the players. They don't play for money, they play for fun. What should be the 1st African team to play in the LLWS, Uganda was first introduced to baseball 8 years. They don't own any of the equipment. Just let them play.

This is like a cinderella story like never before. I believe LLB&S should fight for this teams right to play and come to the US. But even if they can't, the 2011 Little League Baseball World Series should not have a replacement for the Rev. John Foundation Team. The Uganda team should be the only team to represent the Middle East-Africa Region whether they play or not.

These kids from Kampala, Uganda should play in the Little League Baseball World Series