Baseball heroes

Wednesday’s second editorial offers our encouragement to two groups of young sluggers.

Local fans of our national pastime have had plenty to cheer about this summer.

First, Coastal Carolina University played excellent host during the super regional games that lead to the College World Series before thousands of spectators. Although the Chanticleers were unable to advance, they still offered two excellent baseball games and ended a terrific 2010 season against a worthy foe.

That foe, of course, was the University of South Carolina, and we suspect most hard feelings melted away as the Gamecocks fought their way through the College World Series. By the time they defeated UCLA for the championship - the team’s first ever - celebrations began breaking out all over the state.

Perhaps these victories were inspiring, because two local teams of youngsters are heading on the road to bring back a few more major titles. Last week, the Carolina Forest All-Stars 11- and 12-year-old Little League team had a convincing win over Greenwood Abbeville to secure the South Carolina state championship, followed the next day by the Surfside Beach Junior Dixie Boys 13-under All-Stars resounding defeat of Beaufort to win their state tournament.

Now, Surfside Beach advances to the Junior Dixie Boys World Series July 31, while Carolina Forest goes to its Southeast Regional in Warner Robbins, Ga. on Aug. 7. We’ll be rooting for the young athletes on both teams, and it sounds like South Carolina college baseball has plenty of good years ahead of it.

First, Coastal Carolina University played excellent host during the super regional games that lead to the College World Series before thousands of spectators. Although the Chanticleers were unable to advance, they still offered two excellent baseball games and ended a terrific 2010 season against a worthy foe.

That foe, of course, was the University of South Carolina, and we suspect most hard feelings melted away as the Gamecocks fought their way through the College World Series. By the time they defeated UCLA for the championship - the team’s first ever - celebrations began breaking out all over the state.

Perhaps these victories were inspiring, because two local teams of youngsters are heading on the road to bring back a few more major titles. Last week, the Carolina Forest All-Stars 11- and 12-year-old Little League team had a convincing win over Greenwood Abbeville to secure the South Carolina state championship, followed the next day by the Surfside Beach Junior Dixie Boys 13-under All-Stars resounding defeat of Beaufort to win their state tournament.

Now, Surfside Beach advances to the Junior Dixie Boys World Series July 31, while Carolina Forest goes to its Southeast Regional in Warner Robbins, Ga. on Aug. 7. We’ll be rooting for the young athletes on both teams, and it sounds like South Carolina college baseball has plenty of good years ahead of it.