The Encinitas Little League All-Stars baseball team is moving on up. And fans are taking notice.
“We think they’re going to the World Series of course,” Rodney Johnson said.
His grandson, number seven Wyley Sharp, is one of several young players on the team now representing all of Southern California in the Western Regional tournament in San Bernardino.
Earlier this week, as Sharp went up to bat, his grandparents were in the stands to cheer him on.
“There were two guys on. Wyley hit a great double,” Johnson said.
In the past week, the team has already proven themselves. They've beaten Northern California and Utah and earned a spot in the final four of the tournament.
Sharp’s grandparents were among several other fans, former players and coaches at Oggi's in Encinitas Wednesday to watch the team take on Nevada.
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Former coach Don Garcia got to the restaurant early to get a good seat.
“It’s really good to see the kids advance. They never have. Just hope they go all the way,” Garcia said.
The team started out strong against Nevada with a few good runs. But in the end they fell short, 8-4.
Still, they are already in the final four semi-finals on Friday. And that’s when the game will really count.
They are scheduled to play Nevada again at 2 p.m. on Friday and if successful, they will move on to the championship on Saturday.
Either way, it’s been a great experience for Johnson to see his grandson play so well.
“We're so proud of that kid. Can't even begin to tell you.”
