Tigers coach honored for feat in Little League

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Triple time
Little League officials said they moved the fences back 20 feet to 225 feet this year in part to encourage more doubles and triples.

They partly got their wish.

Columbus, Ga., infielder Josh Lester’s triple with the bases loaded during Thursday night’s win over Portsmouth, N.H., was the sixth triple of the tournament, breaking the record of five set last year.

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But doubles and home runs are way down.

Entering Saturday’s games, there were 51 doubles this year, well below the pace of 67 set two years ago. The 25 home runs this year also trail far behind the record of 57 set last year.

The change wasn’t made to cut down on home runs, but to encourage more extra-base hits and put more of a premium on outfield defense, Little League officials have said.

Calling card
The Little Leaguers from Columbus, Ga., have been chatting quite a lot on the phone.

They received calls this week from Atlanta Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue and University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt.

Then on Saturday, before Columbus scored a 7-3 victory over Beaverton, Ore., to advance to the Little League title game, the team got a call from former President Carter, a Georgia native, and received a good-luck video from the Braves.

Columbus players were divided Friday on which was the best call.

Utilityman Mason Meyers liked Francoeur. Outfielder Matthew Kuhlenberg favored the governor. Second baseman Matthew Hollis sided with Richt, agreeing with his manager.

“It was cool,” the 13-year-old said. “He said to finish what we started, and play hard.”

Oh Oregon
The Beaverton boys had hoped to follow the lead of Oregon State, which won the College World Series this year.

Beaver coaches and players called Beaverton manager Jeff Keller’s squad this week with kind words.

Beaverton was hoping to become the first team from Oregon to win the Little League World Series. Only one other team from the state had ever even made it to South Williamsport, the Rose City league from Portland in 1958.

“What we’ve been able to accomplish says a lot about Oregon baseball,” Beaverton manager Jeff Keller said. “It puts us on the map. It bodes well for the future.”

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