Clarendon Hills is hosting a watch party at 1 p.m. Wednesday where people can view a live broadcast of the local team’s first game in the Little League World Series.
The watch party begins at 1 p.m., for a game scheduled to start at 2 p.m., at Prospect and Park Avenues. The game will be shown on a Jumbotron.
Village staff and officials suggest that those attending bring chairs and wear clothing with the team color, which is sky blue.
Clarendon Hills qualified for its first World Series appearance by winning the Great Lakes Region in Whitestown, Indiana, with a 9-4 win on Wednesday Aug. 8 over the Ohio state champion. State champions from Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky also participated in the Great Lakes Region.
Clarendon Hills manager Brian Herold said Sunday that he had “heard rumblings” about the watch party.
“The community has really come together in support of us, and that means a lot,” he said.
The World Series runs from Aug. 13-24 and includes 10 teams from various regions of the United States along with 10 international teams. The format is double-elimination until the championship games.
During the watch party, only the west slip/turn lane adjacent to Sloan Triangle will be closed, to minimize traffic disruption on Prospect Avenue, and all downtown restaurants will be open, assistant village manager Mera Johnson said.
Village officials were contacted by ESPN about organizing a watch party, Johnson said.
“We knew right away we wanted to do a watch party,” village President Eric Tech said. “The fact that they made it to the World Series is so outstanding and should be celebrated. These boys are among the best players in the world. They’re serving as role models and setting an amazing standard for kids in our community.”
Johnson said the village plans to host watch parties for each game the team plays, with local restaurants also joining the celebration.
“Excitement is surging — social media activity has skyrocketed, and calls have poured in from residents eager to know what’s planned,” she said.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
