Illia Kolomoiets of the Europe-Africa Region talks about his escape from Ukraine with his family after his team’s first game on opening day of the 2023 Little League World Series in South Williamsport Aug. 16, 2023. Kolomoiets escaped with with his mother and brother in a friend’s car and they drove 12 hours from their hometown of Kyiv to the Czech Republic. Illia is a big fan of MLB baseball and follows the Pittsburgh Pirates. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
No one has an easy road to Williamsport.
From topping a minor league program, to taking on the best in their state and then facing off against the best in the region, the glory of making it in Williamsport always comes with a lot of obstacles and pressure. Even though the ballplayers are young, the right mindset and level of mental ability can be just as important as their actual ability on the diamond as they navigate their toughest challenge on the diamond yet.
While every Williamsport journey is different, none will be as long and difficult as Illia Kolomoiets’ journey.
A representative of the Czech Republic Little League team that rose to the top within the Europe-Africa Region to earn a spot in the Little League World Series, Kolomoiets’ story is one of mental fortitude off the diamond as much as it is on it.
Located 1,400 kilometers east of the Republic, Kolomoiets’ hometown is Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Kolomiets, his mother and older brother, were among the 6.2 million Ukrainians who became refugees when Russia invaded the country in late February of 2022. Through his translator and manager, ArnoÅ¡t NeÅ¡nal, Kolomiets detailed the journey from the capital of Ukraine to the capital of the Czech Republic.
Illia Kolomoiets of the Europe-Africa Region team reaches his first at-bat against the team from Panama during the opening day of the 2023 Little League World Series in South Williamsport August 16, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
“[We evacuated in] March 2022. [It was] me, my mom and my older brother. We moved with a friend in his car to help bring them over the border. [The journey to Prague] it took 12 to 13 hours,†he said.
Now living in Prague, Kolomoiets is part of a Little League team that went undefeated in its qualification stage. Throughout the regional tournament that took place in Kutno, Poland during the end of July, Czechia dominated the competition. The country finished a perfect 5-0, defeating the United Kingdom 16-0, France 4-0, the Netherlands 18-3, Italy 4-2, and the Netherlands again in the championship round 7-6.
For Kolomoiets, the experience of being in Williamsport was a flawless one.
“It’s beautiful, it’s perfect,” he said.
It was in the nation’s capital where the now 12-year-old outfielder fell in love with the game, even adopting a Major League Baseball team.
“[My favorite team is the] Pittsburgh Pirates,†Kolomiets said.
When asked who his favorite player is, the Kyiv native stuck to the jolly roger: “Bryan Reynolds,” as well as happily stating that his favorite part of the game is when he hits.
And while the competition may appear daunting to some, Kolomoiets is happy to be able to take on the best of the best at his level.
When asked what the best part of competing in the tournament was, Kolomoiets smiled before saying what it means “Being able to deal with good pitching. [I] experience it.â€
“It’s Illia’s first year,” NeÅ¡nal said. “He was in another group, and I noticed that he was a very fast runner who could play any position. He is a very good quality for our team. “
Despite the loss, the Czech Republic proved resilient in its opening game loss to one of the tournament favorites in Panama, falling 4-0 thanks to Omar Vargas’ fourth inning grand slam.
The performance of the Czech players is a symbol of the beauty of Kolomoiets, whose journey just to get to Williamsport was a talent, dedication and incredible perseverance.
Regardless of the difficulties he faced, the outfielder always turned to baseball as a reprieve; playing his favorite sport, and rooting for his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates as he enjoys his time in Williamsport.