Published: August 24, 2008 12:10 am      

YOUTH SPORTS WEEKLY: ‘One of the best teams in the world’

The words of Robert Hanley told the story so clearly.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” bellowed the voice of the longtime Jeffersonville High School public address announcer over the speakers at Blair Field on Friday night. “Please welcome one of the best baseball teams in the WORLD — not just this country — your Jeff/GRC All-Stars.”

One by one, Jeff/GRC players were introduced to fans at Friday’s Jeff High home football opener against Evansville Reitz. The walk across the field represented the final few steps on a memorable voyage for the collection of youngsters who stole the hearts of baseball fans in their hometown.

Friday night’s event capped a memorable return home for the Jeff/GRC stars. Earlier in the afternoon the team was given a parade down Spring Street to Jeff’s Riverstage — where they were greeted by hundreds of fans and showered with congratulations by local political leaders.

Standing outside the field near the track before their final public appearance of the day, weary-eyed Jeff/GRC head coach Derek Ellis recapped the day’s festivities and joked how he wished he wasn’t actually there.

“It’s great, don’t get me wrong,” Ellis said. “But I’d still rather be in Pennsylvania.”

Then, as he looked at his players as they stood with their families waiting for halftime, the coach reflected even further.

“I wouldn’t give it away though,” he said. “Not for anything. I doubt any of us will forget anything that happened this summer.”