My Wish for the World’s Children

I wish that all the world’s children would be treated the way Little League Baseball players are treated at the World Series. Once they arrive at Little League Headquarters, they are given brand new uniforms, shoes and equipment. They live in a beautiful housing complex equipped with a swimming pool and video games. The cafeteria supplies plentiful meals three times a day, with evening snacks. I have eaten at the cafeteria several times and the meals are abundant, nutritious and home-style. I have heard the cafeteria staff try to accommodate the different cultural appetites with special menus.

Each team has Team Uncles, volunteer companions who tend to and facilitate all of the teams’ needs. They make sure the players have everything they need, and to get to their practices and games on time. They have been known to find parents and run an assortment of errands.

The Little Leaguers have lush green fields to play on and ESPN provides the state-of-the-art technology to record their every move. Everything is documented. As a production assistant, I saw the most beautiful still photographs of the players in various events, the joy and contemplation on the game a gift to observe.

When I drove the Little League teams around and I gave my tour of the grounds and basic orientation, the kids were amazed that adults are not allowed to smoke or drink on the Little League grounds. I can still hear the players question me, “Really?” when I mentioned the no smoking or drinking rule on the premises in my orientation speech.

The rules of baseball are fair and known to all. Equality and fairness is attempted in an unfair world. Umpires do their best to call the games and we have all agreed to abide by the calls. Teamwork is first. Winning and losing are still a team’s responsibility. Win together or lose together, no single person is to blame ideally.

I love the fact that there is a rigorous security scrutiny of volunteers and staff through background checks and child abuse clearances with everyone who comes in contact with the players. There are layers of security and a health team to provide the best security and health care for the players.

The price to see the games is free and the vendors’ prices for the delicious eats are fair. A family can come and spend all day watching the games and not spend a fortune.

I love this time of the summer when I sit in the stands, eating my ice cream, watching the kids playing baseball under the lights on the vivid green grass, and wish that all the world's children would know such joy, safety and freedom that lies within these walls.

The joy and simplicity of life is alive and well in South Williamsport, at the next greatest place on earth, the 2011 Little League Baseball World Series. I am off to the games.