Marana Little League left an extraordinary mark on this year’s Softball Junior League World Series. According to coach Jason Angell, it could be for a number of reasons.
Maybe it was the decision to do the chicken dance for their mandatory skit at the award ceremony. Or, perhaps, their insane comeback at West Regionals to qualify for the tournament.
These reasons, among many others, proved the “work hard, play hard” mentality of hometown heroes, the Marana Little League softball team.
“We got so many compliments about how fun and goofy our girls were, how they played the game with integrity and were a great group to be around,” Angell said. “From that, they represented the community to the greatest extent they could.”
The morning after winning the West Region title, Marana Little League flew out to Seattle to compete in the Softball Junior League World Series. They played against the best teams across the globe and made it to the quarter finals.
It was a long-time coming for this team of 13- to 15-year-olds to finally earn a World Series appearance.
“It was about a year’s worth of hard work and pushing ourselves against tougher competition to make it to the series,” Angell noted. “Ultimately, we got back into Western Regionals and were able to accomplish that goal.”
Most of the girls played on last year’s team, where they lost in the western tournament of 2022. The players made it their goal to win the title and make it to the series.
Team catcher Kyla Layton credited their success not only on how hard they work but how well they work together.
“A big factor that got us to the World Series is having really good relationships between all of the players on the team,” Layton said. “We have fun, and we don’t get down on each other or ourselves if we make an error or a mistake.”
In Western Regionals, the team dug their way out of the loser's bracket with a record of 6-1 to take home the title.
At the World Series, Marana Little League was guaranteed five games in another double elimination-style tournament.
“It was a whirlwind, the last two and a half weeks have been just a blur,” Angell said. “We didn’t have much time to prepare, but the girls knew what they had to do. They just had to play ball.”
The series began with a few games to determine seeding for the bracket. Marana beat Olmeca Little League from Mexico in the first match. The next few days marked battles against teams from Connecticut, Texas and the Czech Republic.
Marana Little League played its quarter-final match against the Philippines and lost 4-0. In their final exhibition game against Canada, they walked away with a close win of 7-6.
“Everyone realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so we just loved it and enjoyed every moment of it,” Angell said. “Whether we won a game or lost a game, we were there and we deserved to be there.”
Regardless of the outcome, the Marana players had the opportunity to compete with the best junior league softball teams on the world stage.
Centerfielder Emma Winter noted her mindset as she stepped onto the field for the game against Mexico.
“The first time I stepped onto the field... it actually hit me that we were (at) the World Series,” Winter said. “But when you have a fun team like mine, it really makes your nerves go away.”
The World Series organizers also hosted events outside of the tournament, welcoming teams to events like a girls’ night out and the awards dinner.
It was here the girls performed their famous chicken dance, and from that point on, everyone knew the Marana Little League.
“Every time we were at the field, the announcers would see the West, whether we were playing or watching… and they’d play the chicken dance,” Angell said. “It quickly became our label. We were the goofy, dancing, having fun team.”
After each game, Marana would explore Seattle, meet up with other teams or hang out at the beach. First baseman and Angell’s daughter, Addison, recalled the memories spent off the field.
“Our team is a big group of sisters who love to watch movies, listen to music and stay up late laughing,” Addison said. “The friendships you have with your teammates help create memories that last a lifetime.”
The Marana coaching staff of Angell, Sam Mills, Chris Beck, Brett Winter and Jim Sayre entered the world of softball through their daughters.
Angell said the group helped raise each other’s kids through the highs and lows of their seasons.
“Being on the field with your daughter, it’s crazy,” Angell said. “You’re trying to be a coach, but then to celebrate their great accomplishments and hard work, it's remarkable.”
“It’s all those moments you share as a coach, but also a dad,” he said with emotion.
Marana Little League returned from Seattle to a welcome parade and congratulations from the community. They met other teams from the league at their park. Younger players held posters and asked for autographs from the World Series team.
As most of his players age out of the league, this is a memory that gave Angell hope for the future of junior softball in Marana.
“The younger girls playing softball look up to them, and now these girls have shown them what they can do,” Angell noted. “It’s great for them to be role models to the younger girls in our community.”
Layton, Winter and Addison will continue to play for high school and club teams, and all hope to play collegiate softball in the future. They leave Marana Little League with a West Region title, a World Series appearance and memories for a lifetime.
Moreover, they learned a time-honored sports tradition; to win is to win together.
“Playing with Marana Little League and my teammates helped me learn that I can do hard things and we can work together to be successful,” Layton said. “Our team is close, we trust each other and have fun together. I think we showed that at the Junior League World Series.”