Little League parents' nerves being tested

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The backs of the seats in the parents section of the stands at Lamade Stadium might as well be covered in spikes because when it's your child on the field playing at the Little League World Series, you're on the edge of your seat.

And when it's your child that is heartbroken after losing 1-0 in the U.S. semifinals – setting up a win-or-go-home scenario at 5 p.m. Thursday – all you can do is offer love and support, trying to stay as strong as possible while you're torn up in the inside.

"It's a little bit devastating," Ocean View Little league assistant coach Jose Martinez said.

After Ocean View lost to Billings, Mont., Wednesday night, parents lined the outside of the players-only area, applauding after each player made his way out to meet his family. One by one, the players from Ocean View beelined directly into a hug.

Kari Furry, Jack Furry's mother, stood and watched as her husband consoled their son after the loss and smiled after being asked about the parental experience at the Little League World Series.

"It's very stressful," she said. "Before the game starts, we all start to panic. Once the game starts, you just want them to play well and have fun.

"... But there are times though where you just can't look."

And following a game where the team doesn't hit well, the parents all share in the disappointment of their children.

For Martinez, he has to wear dual hats – one as a team's coach and another as a father to Ocean View outfielder Anthony Martinez. It just so happened the message to his son and the message to the team were exactly the same Wednesday night.

"We still got tomorrow. It's not over. We still have more to play," Jose Martinez said. "The message was that we played well. Defensively we played well; the pitching was on. The bats just weren't alive today."

And whether it's after a blowout win or a stunning loss, it's the parent's job to put what just happened into perspective.

"For them, this is a dream come true," Kari Furry said. "They've been working towards this for awhile. To actually make it to the World Series is just phenomenal. They made it this far, which is fantastic.

"Now, whatever happens at this point, happens."

Contact the writer: dwoike@ocregister.com