For the sixth time in program history, Hamilton's West Side Little League will represent Ohio in the Little League World Series.
The Great Lakes Region champions will face Mountain Region champ Nevada in the first round of the Little League World Series on Aug. 20. Ohio's first game starts at 2 p.m. and will air live on ESPN.
West Side manager Tim Nichting is no stranger to the big stage. He's been coaching Hamilton's Little League for 43 years, leading five teams to the World Series and taking part in 26 state championships.
Though perhaps more accustomed to the scene now than he was on his first trip to Williamsport in 1991, Nichting said the joy of reaching the World Series never really goes away.
"This is kind of like baseball heaven," Nichting
said. "To get 11- and 12-year-old kids here, what a great dream for them."
Nichting is quick to point to the credit back to his players for their accomplishments. While his coaching staff works to make practice fun for the kids, he said the players on this team have a tremendous work ethic. Even returning from winning the state tournament in Bordman, Ohio, a four-hour drive away, the players asked Nichting if they could practice that night. Nichting decided to give them the night off, but the team's desire to improve has never been fully sated.
"They just love baseball," Nichting said. "They all work hard; they're having a blast with this."
On the field, West Side's talent has been overwhelming on their road to Williamsport. Ohio's champions rolled past Michigan, 10-4, handed an 11-0 beatdown to Indiana, and beat Kentucky twice by a combined 17-4 score. While the World Series represents another significant step up in competition, Ohio has all the confidence in the world right now.
With the entire roster loaded with talent, the best place to start is with pitcher Boone Treadway.
The son of Badin baseball coach Brion Treadway, Boone was recently named one of the top 20 players at the World Series by Road to Williamsport. Across 13.2 innings pitched, Treadway racked up 23 strikeouts with a 0.66 WHIP.
Leading the offense is outfielder and pitcher Xander Kinkade, another member of the top 20 players. He's been batting .500 on his way to the World Series, hitting three home runs and securing eight RBIs. Another standout across West Side's run has been first baseman and pitcher Josiah Infante. Towering over the competition at 6-foot-1, Infante has hit four home runs over the course of the state and regional tournaments.
Hamilton's team is making its sixth appearance in the Little League World Series. During their most recent appearance in 2021, West Side marched all the way to the U.S. finals before falling to Michigan.
Though the World Series history is there, it doesn't seem to be adding too much pressure to this year's team. They're tuning out the noise and preparing to let the entire country know who they are.
"We're not just glad to be here," Nichting said. "We're trying to do something and make an even bigger name for ourselves."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hamilton's West Side Little League prepares for 'baseball heaven'
