CLARKSVILLE, TN – Nolensville Little League Baseball, led by Austin Peay State University alumnus Randy Huth, is headed to the Little League World Series (LLWS) for their third straight year and will play their first game in the series at -2 pm on August 18.
Huth is also the first coach in LLWS history to participate in the tournament three years in a row and said he hopes to give his team a positive experience.
“Even though it’s my third year, it’s still different [I’ve had] three different teams,” Huth said. “It’s a new team every time. I can see the joy and excitement in their eyes. It’s hard to describe, but it’s an amazing thing to see. The kids are seeing Lamade Stadium for the first time, which they saw in many times on TV as kids. They get to see it in person for the first time, and I’m there to witness it. That’s a feeling you can’t replace; it’s unbelievable.”
Huth, manager of Nolensville, is an APSU graduate with a degree in corporate communications. He currently works as a business development specialist.
The LLWS was first held in 1947. It has been a baseball staple for 76 years and a dream for kids everywhere. Participating teams included 10 US regional champions and 10 international regional champions, competing in a total of 38 games.
Huth’s team, Nolensville Little League Baseball, represents the Southeast region. The program begins its road to the LLWS on May 15, and they must win district, state and regional tournaments to secure their spot.
“This is the longest journey imaginable for youth sports”, said Huth. “You [think of] a tournament, and it’s just a game until it’s over, but here you play, you win one, then you have to wait two or three weeks. It’s challenging because all day, every day, these kids are 12. That hasn’t changed. They are 12 [so we have] in an attempt to keep them focused and engaged and having a good time. “
Last year, the team was honored with the LLWS Jack Losch Sportsmanship Award. The award is given to a team each year that demonstrates excellence in sportsmanship. Stadium workers, security personnel, ushers, and other employees voted on the award.
“I always tell the kids for 20 years, people don’t remember if you pitched, played a good game or hit a home run,” Huth said. “They will remember how you made them feel. We will make you feel good. We tell people ‘thank you.’ Let’s look people in the eyes. Let’s let them know we appreciate them. We do that wherever we go to every person we meet; we will be compassionate; we will be kind; we will be humble.”
Nolensville will play Smithfield, Rhode Island during their first game of the tournament at 2 pm on August 18. Last year, Nolensville finished second in the US, and Huth and his team hope to win the entire thing in 2023.
To update the Nolensville Little League team in the LLWS, go to https://www.littleleague.org/world-series/2023/llbws/teams/southeast-region/