Little League World Champions adjusting to life as local celebrities

LAKE MARY, Fla. — A group of young athletes and their coaches are gradually settling back into their everyday lives after accomplishing something that had never been done.

On Aug. 25, 2024, the Lake Mary Little League All-Stars won the Little League Baseball World Series Championship, becoming the first Florida team to accomplish such a feat.

“It’s pretty amazing how we won the whole thing, and just looking back. You’re the one that won the whole thing. It wasn’t anyone else, it was you,” said player Chase Anderson.

Chase’s father and head coach Jonathan Anderson described why he believes the young players were able to overcome challenges to win a championship.

“They were mentally prepared, they were physically prepared. They knew that when it came to that kind of battle, they were the best team. We told them that, and they believed it,” said Coach Anderson.

After their huge win, the team was met with a hero’s homecoming at Orlando International Airport. In the days following the championship, the team was in a parade at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and during a hometown celebration in Lake Mary that attracted thousands of people.

“Everywhere we go we’re getting recognized, and it’s been great, and great knowing we accomplished what we went to Williamsport for,” said player Teraj Alexander.

Most of the team has moved on to other teams, sports and other activities, but the group still reunites when it can.

“These little moments when we do get to gather, and you do get to talk to them about how their tournament is doing or how their travel team is doing, how their whatever their sport is doing … It’s fun to get back and communicate with them and bond, like we did over the summer,” said Coach Anderson.

The players have signed a lot of posters with their pictures on them, as well as some bats.

“We still get people time and time again saying congratulations,” said player Liam Morrisey.

But at first, all the attention took some getting used to.

“The first time it happened I was so confused, I was like ‘what, you know my name?’ And then now, I get it now, because it’s happened more often,” said player Landon Bono.

Beyond the stardom of being local celebrities, their achievement has helped given these champions a confidence they carry with them to other challenges they face.

“Pressure, definitely, because for tests I have that pressure that I don’t want to fail, I have to do good, so using the strategies, slowing everything down, so when it’s time to take the test I know what to do,” said Morrisey.

“I’ve hit the top of what I can reach from a youth standpoint, so you’ve already got there. Now it’s just, you can do anything else you need to,” said Bono.

And despite many years of experience, the championship also reshaped how the coaches approach the game.

“I think I’ve learned to be a little less aggressive with the kids. I try to stay calm, understand that mistakes are going to happen and give the kids the opportunity to learn and grow from it,” said Coach Anderson.

“I did reach the pinnacle of youth baseball, winning the world series, so now the focus is — my mindset should maybe be on, let’s make sure the kids are developing the right way,” said Coach Kyle Bono. “And focus a little more on that. You want to play a good sport and you want to win, but really the mindset should be more on the youth level.”

It was a moment so monumental, Coach Bono and his son Landon say they’ll go back to where it all happened, Williamsport, to relive their team’s accomplishment.

“Our family is going to go back there every summer because it’s that special, it’s awesome, it’s the environment,” said Coach Bono. “Anybody who’s played youth sports, if at some point you can get there, get there. We’re going back every year.”