‘I feel really special’: Championship softball team celebrated with parade
Published 12:10 am Sunday, August 18, 2019
Fans celebrate with the Rowan County All-Stars as they celebrate their Little League World Series Championship with a parade downtown and a celebration at Salisbury Community Park on Saturday, August 17, 2019.
The Rowan County All-Stars celebrate their Little League World Series Championship with a parade downtown and a celebration at Salisbury Community Park on Saturday, August 17, 2019.
Ashley Yang is all smiles as the Rowan County All-Stars celebrate their Little League World Series Championship with a parade downtown and a celebration at Salisbury Community Park on Saturday, August 17, 2019.
Campbell Schaen autographs a softball as the Rowan County All-Stars celebrate their Little League World Series Championship with a parade downtown and a celebration at Salisbury Community Park on Saturday, August 17, 2019.
The Rowan County All-Stars celebrate their Little League World Series Championship with a parade downtown and a celebration at Salisbury Community Park on Saturday, August 17, 2019.
By Terrence Jefferies
terrence.jefferies@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY – “A dream come true” is how Kennedi Fisher described the Rowan Little League softball’s World Series championship, a police escort home Friday and celebration on Saturday.
“I feel special. I feel really special. It’s a really big achievement,” said Fisher, a player on the team and rising sixth-grader.
Fisher along with other players, coaches, family, friends and fans traveled downtown and, later, to Salisbury Community Park on Saturday to celebrate Rowan’s second World Series championship in four years.
Beginning in the 500 block of North Main Street, the fire and police departments escorted the team through town during the early Saturday parade. Newly minted championship team members rode in classic convertible cars, historic trolleys and modern vehicles while participating in the parade.
Rowan Little League softball team member Carmen Freeze expressed her excitement shortly before the parade.
“This is my first year playing softball. I have been enjoying it, and I am looking forward to riding in the cars and everyone greeting me at the parade,” she said.
Freeze said her fondest memory of playing softball with Rowan Little League as the moment she received the chance to pitch at a World Series game.
“It was scary, there were so many people relying on me, and I didn’t want to let them down,” she said.
Lexie Ritchie, 13, said winning the championship was her fondest memory of playing with Rowan Little League. And how couldn’t it be? Ritchie saw all of her family, friends and the community showing support for the team during the parade. During an escort home on Friday, dozens of supporters crowded downtown and at West End Plaza to greet the team, dishing out high fives and cheers.
Attendees of the event Saturday, including Diane Disher, gave words of praise for the parade. Disher, who is from South Carolina, traveled out to Salisbury especially for the parade and to cheer on the team and, importantly, her granddaughter.
“My granddaughter was one of the champions, and I believe it was a wonderful event for them,” she said.
Following the parade, a rally was held at the Salisbury Community Park ballfield. The rally included comments by commissioners Chairman Greg Edds as well as other local government officials and members of Rowan-Salisbury Schools.
“I think this event is well-deserved for the girls and I think it’s awesome that the community comes out to support these girls,” Head Coach Steve Yang told the Post. “Having community support like this is tremendous. We appreciate everyone from the bottom of our heart and we hope we made them proud.”
Softball player Riley Haggas added to Yang’s sentiment, saying she’s enjoyed everyone coming out to support the team during the journey to the World Series championship.
“This is pretty amazing,” Haggas said.
