APOPKA, Fla. – Over 20 years ago, Justin Lafavers was on the pitcher’s mound in the biggest game of his young life. Now a married father of two and over 30 years old, Justin remembers.
“Watching the teams play now, looking back, you don’t really realize then what is going on, but to look back now and realize what we did and what we accomplished is pretty amazing,” Lafavers said.
At 12 years old, he was a member of the 2001 Apopka Little League, a team of barnstorming baseball buddies who just captured the U.S. Championship and starting in the Little League World Series Championship against Tokyo.
Lafavers pitched a gem of a game, but he and his teammates ultimately fell 2-1. Still, he and his teammates returned home to Apopka to a hero’s welcome with incredible memories that will last a lifetime.
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“Being out there before the final game, meeting the president. President Bush came out and threw out the first pitch, and just being out there and seeing the people and the different people from all over the world playing baseball was pretty neat,” Lafavers said. “The most special part for us was just having a community all come together as one and watching us up there, little kids playing baseball, and cheering us on.”
Now, it’s the Lake Mary All-Stars’ turn to experience some of the same things. As they make their run at the 2024 Little League World Series, they’ve got the 2001 Apopka Little Leaguers in their corner.
“Have a great time. Take in all the moments. When you get older, you’ll realize what it is... Have fun, win a championship,” he said.
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