With the fall youth baseball season under way, it was time to get out there to cover our Little League Game of the Week.  Tonight’s game featured Bryan United Express vs. College Station Hot Rods in the season opener. The first thing that become apparent was the strong support from the parents, creating an extremely positive environment. No matter the outcome of the play, they had resounding encouragement for all the players. The game got off to a bit of a slow start as the pitchers were trying to iron out their delivery and find the strike zone, but the parents refused to let either pitcher be discouraged. Once things got going, the College Station Hot Rods’ first baseman had a spectacular play fielding a rope down the first base line, stepping on the bag, and throwing to second to get the advancing runner and turn the inning-ending double play. While there were numerous occasions where errors were made, which is to be expected at this age as they continue to learn the game, the more impressive aspect was how efficient the players were to get in their spots to backup the play and limit the damage. The kids overall did an incredible job of staying attentive and keeping their heads in the game. As the game rolled on, it was a very back and forth affair, but as the late innings rolled around, one of baseball’s finest traditions was embraced by the players of the Bryan United Express… the rally cap. Down two runs with time running out, and one at-bat left, one youngster shared with his teammates, “fear the awesome power of the rally cap… if the whole team does it, we’ll get a home run.” The Bryan United Express did not pull out a victory by way of walk-off home run, but they did in fact pull out the win nonetheless, in walk-off fashion. After the game, we caught up with Bryan United Express coach Joe Scott for a few closing questions. When asked how the team played in comparison to his initial expectations, Scott proudly stated, “Being the first game we weren’t real sure how they’d come out, they came out, met the challenge, made a comeback, and won on a walk-off, can’t ask for more.” Scott’s coaching was unique and very age-appropriate, explaining the plate approach to batters by telling them “the [pitcher] was coming over the top right by his ear. Watch the logo on his hat and it will be the first place you’ll see the ball; gives you a chance to see it longer than looking anywhere else.” Scott should proudly take credit for his boys’ effort tonight but when asked where they learned the rally cap, he deflected and blamed it on TV, “I’m just thankful they didn’t have a rally monkey” Scott joked. Great effort all around by both teams, and it was exciting to see the amount of support the teams had from parents, grandparents, and siblings alike.