Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

The Lake Mary All Stars achieved a historic victory on August 25 by winning the Baseball Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. This marks the first time a team from Florida has won the series in its 77-year history.

Paul Bibaud, an assistant coach and All Souls parishioner, attributed the team's success to their rigorous training regimen, which included two practices per day throughout the summer and a demanding boot camp. He also acknowledged what he saw as divine intervention, noting that many players on the team are Christian. "Faith always plays a role," Bibaud said.

In a tense game against Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), the team was down 1-0 at the bottom of the sixth inning despite multiple opportunities to score. Team coach Jonathan Anderson then shared an inspirational story with his players about an encounter three weeks earlier when a man prayed over them for strength and endurance. Anderson recalled, “He prayed for us... Then his buddy says, ‘They’re going to win this whole thing. It’s written.’”

Anderson told his team, “This is our summer. We’re going to win this... Stay cool. We just have to finish the story.” The team managed to tie the game and push it into extra innings.

In the eighth inning, with Lathan Norton on second base, Hunter Alexander bunted towards first base. A misplay by Taiwan's pitcher and first baseman allowed Norton to score the winning run.

Demonstrating sportsmanship, Lake Mary All Stars immediately comforted their opponents from Chinese Taipei after their victory. “That’s just what you do,” Anderson stated. “We’ve all been there... So you comfort kids in those situations because you’ve felt it in your life.”

Anderson's motivational speech went viral due to his live microphone on ESPN during the game. While some praised it, others debated whether faith should play a role in sports.

“Maybe that loss leads those kids to do something greater,” Anderson remarked regarding Chinese Taipei's defeat.

Reflecting on his team's unity and commitment from early on, Anderson said, “We came together... That was the difference between this team and everything else.”

Team member Jacob Bibaud expressed confidence in their victory due to a dream his mother had about their success. Jacob regularly makes the sign of the cross before batting as an expression of faith taught by his mother.

Christopher Chikodroff, at age 11 the youngest player on the team and an Annunciation Academy student, also credits God for their achievements. In prayers following their win, he thanked God for giving him this opportunity.

By Glenda Meekins of Florida Catholic staff