U.S.S.S.A. WORLD SERIES: Vipers dominate tourney

When it was announced, close to a year ago, that Las Vegas was chosen to host the U.S.S.S.A. 10-and-under World Series, the Las Vegas Vipers set their sights on capturing the crown.

Recently, the Vipers realized their dream, winning the national championship in dominant fashion over a field of 42 other outstanding teams from across the country.

"Sometimes these kids show moments of brilliance and sometimes they just show that they're 10-year-olds. But make no mistake about it, these 12 players are the best 10-year-olds in the nation, and they proved it by bringing home a national championship for the city of Las Vegas," Vipers manager Chris Heffinger said.

The Vipers rolled past the San Diego Wildcats, 10-2, in the title tilt, in a game that was stopped because of the mercy rule.

"It was one of the most impressive displays of baseball I had ever seen," Heffinger said. "And keep in mind these kids are only 10 years old."

The Vipers, who have played together for more than two years, had won 10 tournaments and compiled an amazing 124-9 record heading into the World Series, in which they cruised to eight straight wins.

The Vipers beat the Baton Rouge (La.) Bandits, 8-3, in the semifinals to advance to the championship game. The Vipers eliminated the Highlander Hurricanes from California, 8-5, in the quarterfinals.

The Vipers, who featured solid hitting and pitching, opened the World Series with an impressive 8-0 shutout of the HCYP Raiders from Maryland. They then edged the Sylvannia Mavericks from Ohio, 5-4, in their closest contest of the tournament. The Vipers blew out the Vallejo Black Sox from California, 17-1, in an outstanding display of hitting to emerge out of pool play undefeated.

In their first game of the medal round, the Vipers stomped the San Antonio (Texas) Gators, 8-2. The Vipers edged the Dallas (Texas) Tigers, 5-3, to advance to the quarterfinals.

Stephen Manthei of the Vipers -- and the Legacy Little League -- was named the World Series Most Valuable Player.

Other players on the national champs include Chase LaComb (Spring Valley Little League), Jeff Malm (Lone Mountain), Eric Stewart (Paradise Valley American), Bryce Heffinger (Legacy), Aaron Kurcz (Spring Valley), Chris Campbell (Legacy), Kyle Larimer (Legacy), Danny Brundage (Legacy), Johnny Carra (Legacy), Nick Conway (Legacy) and Austin Mountain (Legacy).

The assistant coaches were Tony Kurcz and Jim Brundage.

Heffinger said winning the World Series was a dream come true for everyone involved.

"It's what we all dreamed of as young boys," he said. "Blue skies, green baseball fields and the chance of a lifetime to be known as the best of the best."