Parade celebrates area’s Little Leaguers Residents and dignitaries salute team’s performance
Torrance’s surprising journey to the 2021 Little League World Series ended all the way back home in the South Bay on Saturday, with a parade in the team’s honor.
Dozens lined the south side of Plaza Del Amo in Torrance, and a long line of vehicles carrying the “Cardiac Kids,” a nickname earned amid a series of stirring victories along the way, made its way to the Little League team’s home field.
The city police and fire departments led the parade on a route from Wilson Park to the field, as residents cheered on the players.
The Torrance Little League AllStars battled it out to the semifinals in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, but came up short in a tournament full of twists and stirring baseball action. The team lost to Ohio 4-2 and was eliminated one win short of the semifinals.
“They truly lived up to their name, the ‘Cardiac Kids,’ ” said James Han, vice president of the Torrance Unified School District Board of Education. “Talk about giving people a heart attack. You made our hearts beat and gave us
a journey that we all loved.”
It was not only a first for the Torrance Little League to make it to the tournament, but also the first Los Angeles County team to reach Williamsport since 1994.
Torrance Mayor Pat Furey, a longtime Little League supporter and volunteer umpire in District 27 for more than 30 years, said he was thrilled with the way the team represented the sport and city.
“The character building of Little League can’t be shown better than what these young men did,” Furey said. “Going to Williamsport and making us all very, very proud of our city and our youth.”
Other special guests to join in the celebration included L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Torrance Unified Superintendent Tim Stowe, Rep. Maxine Waters, Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi and former major leaguer Nomar Garciaparra, who addressed the team.
“I’ve had the great privilege to actually broadcast the Little League World Series,” Garciaparra said, “and its hands down one of the greatest events I’ve ever been a part of.”
“Williamsport is the Disneyland of baseball,” he told the players. “And guys, way to bring the happiest place in baseball home.”
Before concluding the celebration, Han had a few more surprises for the players.
On top of donations and support the team received from the community during the journey, the players were gifted 100 tickets to the AstrosAngels game on Sept. 20, and another 100 tickets for the Padres-Dodgers game on Sept. 29.
“Our whole team came together,” Dominic Golia said, “and created this one bond.”