CHICAGO — Jackie Robinson West coach Darold Butler is supremely confident in his team heading into the Little League World Series.
"Right now, the kids feel they can win this," Butler, whose club opens play Thursday against Lynnwood, Washington, told DNAinfo Chicago on Wednesday. "They're going to give every effort to win the whole thing. The hard part was getting here. I think they're going to play the best baseball we've seen now that we're here. I feel good about our chances."
Justin Breen spoke with Coach Butler and previews the tournament:
Jackie Robinson West, based in Morgan Park, is Chicago's first team to reach Williamsport, Pennslyvania, since the same organization advanced to Little League's promised land in 1983. A city team last won a U.S. title in 1967, when North Roseland fell 4-1 to West Tokyo in the world championship game.
Thursday's game against Lynnwood begins at 2 p.m. and will be televised by ESPN. Locally, a watch party will start at 1:30 p.m. at the team's home field — Jackie Robinson Park, 10540 S. Morgan St.
"They have to stop us," said Butler, a former Simeon Career Academy standout baseball player and Toronto Blue Jays draft pick. "It's going to be hard to deal with our speed, our toughness. It doesn't matter who we play."
Butler's bunch won the Great Lakes Regional on Saturday with a come-from-behind, 12-7 victory over New Albany, Ind. Jackie Robinson West arrived in Williamsport on Sunday, and it's been nonstop activities since. On Wednesday, the team was scheduled to participate in a parade through Williamsport with the other Little League clubs.
Butler said he believes his team has captured the imagination of the city, state and beyond for several reasons.
"It's an all African-American team, and that definitely has something to do with it. That brings something totally different to what's going on," Butler said. "And I think people fell in love with the way these guys played in the [Great Lakes] Regional. The speed, the power, the fun-loving way they played — they're easy to fall in love with. They showed passion, smiled, and a there's a lot of energy. That type of baseball captures people's attention."
The double-elimination tournament features eight U.S. clubs and eight teams from around the world.
Butler said he hasn't yet determined who will be his starting pitcher for Thursday's game.
He said he appreciated the city's support.
"Thanks to Chicago and also the state for all the support," Butler said. "We feel the energy. We feel the support. Every time you have someone pulling for you, you don't want to let them down."
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
