TULARE, Calif. (KFSN) — City Council meetings are usually about city business, but in Tulare this week's meeting started with baseball.
“Tulare has really supported us and recognized the great work our players and coaches have done,” Tulare 9U All-Stars coach Chris Briseno said.
The local 9U all-star team was officially recognized by the city and Rep. David Valadao for winning the Cal Ripken World Series in Alabama.
The men's postseason run almost didn't happen.
“I never expected to be invited to the World Series,” Briceno said.
Briceno said the boys team placed third at the state tournament before failing to advance to the next tournament.
The league commissioner sensed something special and gave the team a special quota spot.
“He suggested it after the tournament and said that we have a good team and we can compete with his best players,” Briceno said.
Now comes the hard part: raising the funds to fly a group of coaches and 12 players around the country.
“It took us a month to arrange flights and hotels for all the boys,” Briceno said.
Through fundraising and with the help of local sponsors, the boys raised $40,000 to buy plane tickets to Alabama.
“I saw the competition there and I knew they could compete with anyone,” Briceno said.
The men's team went 3-1 in pool play and needed a walk-off win in the semifinals to advance to the finals.
“I definitely didn't get much sleep the night before,” Briceno said.
“We fought hard,” player Caleb Pedro said.
The boys capped off the winning streak with a decisive 5-1 victory over the Bahamas.
While the Tulare City Council prepares for other city business, it's clear that the top item on the agenda for the men's team is winning the Indiana World Series.
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