The Park View Little Leaguers from Chula Vista are back in the national spotlight. The entire team appeared as guests on the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien Thursday night.
The Blue Bombers were on the road with cell phones, iPods, and a refreshing sense of innocence on Thursday.
"Where we going, Los Angeles? Bulla Graft said.
“And why are we going to Los Angeles?” I asked.
“Umm, for the Tonight Show,” he replied.
“And who's the host of The Tonight Show?” I asked.
“Ah, I really don't know," Bulla replied.
Once they were in Universal City they were greeted like celebrities and escorted from the buses into The Tonight Show studio, where one of the first glimpses of glamour was a hallway decorated with signatures from Conan's former guests.
"It was just another baseball game, you know what I mean?” Coach Ric Ramirez said. “But on the outside it really is a huge accomplishment, and this is one of those things that kind of shows -- wow."
The players -- all-stars of a different kind -- added their autographs to the wall as well. But, in the green room the 12 and 13-year-old boys went back to being boys, passing time with video games.
The soda and cookies disappeared in a flash -- the salad was virtually untouched.
And then it was time.
WATCH PARK VIEW'S APPEARANCE ON THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN O'BRIEN
Backstage some parents watched with pride, while others laughed at Conan's jokes. Perhaps the best moment was when Conan pretended to take Bradley Roberto's ring without success.
"He asked to see the ring, I sat down, he said thanks for keeping it, I walked up and took my ring back," Bradley said.
This little league ride is showing no signs of slowing down. The city of Chula Vista will officially honor the Little Leaguers on Friday and a rally will be held at 6 p.m. at Southwestern College.
