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The North Regina Little League All-Stars are coming to terms with a loss to Mexico on Sunday that eliminated them from the Little League World Series.
Derek Bilboe, the father of Team Canada player Jackson Bilboe, told the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Monday that he’s very proud of the players and feels they represented Canada well.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t the outcome that we were all hoping for, but nonetheless, it was a great experience for the boys and families that got to come down and watch,” Bilboe said from Williamsport, Pa.
Even though the Regina Little Leaguers were disappointed after the loss, Bilboe said they held their heads high.
“They had one bad inning that kind of got away from them,” he added of Mexico’s eight-run outburst in Sunday’s fourth inning. “They came here … and did everything they could to make Canada proud and I think … it’s a little bit of a learning experience for all of them.”
Bilboe said his son Jackson was proud of what they accomplished while also being disappointed with the outcome.
“They’re all very competitive boys … Definitely (there were) some lessons learned along the way,” he added.
From a parent’s perspective, Bilboe said watching his son compete in the tournament was a roller coaster of emotions.
“(It’s) us being very proud of the boys. It’s us sitting there nervously every time a ball gets hit their way or they’re up at bat,” he added. “We understand there’s a lot of pressure to be wearing that Canadian jersey and playing at this level.”
Since Bilboe’s original travel plans took the chance Canada could be playing in the championship game into consideration, he said his family will stay in Williamsport until the end of the tournament.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to take in the rest of the tournament with the boys,” Bilboe said. “There’s a home run derby coming up and some really good games of ball that I think both the parents and the boys would like to take in.”
He said he wants to make sure they soak in the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
North Regina won the Canadian championship Aug. 10 to advance to the Little League World Series. The All-Stars were the second Saskatchewan team ever to reach the tournament, following the lead of the 2002 North Regina squad.