Gorman relishes Legion title

School started more than a week ago for most of the players on Bishop Gorman's American Legion baseball team.

And while many of their classmates were renewing friendships and cracking open books, the Titans were putting the finishing touches on an incredible "What I did on my summer vacation" story.

Gorman wrote the final chapter Wednesday morning by becoming the first Nevada team to win the American Legion World Series.

The title game's first pitch was 6 a.m. Pacific time in Shelby, N.C., and the team returned home Wednesday night after 11:30.

"It's like the greatest feeling in the world," said junior Matt Hall, a pitcher/outfielder who was named to the all-tournament team.

"I thought winning state was big because it was something I had never done before, but this was taking it to a whole new level," added Hall, who pitched a four-hitter Monday.

Gorman (75-7-1) won the final 21 games of its season and hadn't been in Las Vegas in nearly two weeks. The team went straight from winning its regional in Arizona to the World Series in North Carolina.

"I don't even know what my own bed feels like anymore," Hall said. "We all agreed we were going to school (Thursday) to start getting caught up and actually figure out where our classes are."

The Titans arrived in Shelby on Aug. 20. The tournament was scheduled to end Tuesday, but rain forced the postponement of the title game.

It was more than worth the wait for Gorman, which defeated Pasco, Wash., 5-1 in the championship game.

"We've had success in our program on a state level, but this is a national thing," Gorman coach Chris Sheff said. "There are about 6,000 Legion teams. It's quite an honor to win this tournament."

Like many of his players, Sheff also will have catching up to do at school. He teaches algebra.

"I'm six days into having a substitute (teacher)," he said. "It'll be tough getting everyone caught up, and some of the guys will definitely need some extra study halls, but they'll get the work done. It just jumped up on us, and all of a sudden, the summer is over."

But what a way to end it.

"You never think of something like this at the beginning of the year," said senior Stephen Manthei, who pitched a five-hitter in the championship game. "When we got to the state tournament, it started to become a reality."

That reality could lead to another dream.

The ALWS champion is invited to attend and be recognized at Game 1 of Major League Baseball's World Series in October.

"We're excited about that," Sheff said. "The game will be in an American League park, and we'll be there."

Another plane flight, another couple of days on the road.

And an addendum to the summer vacation story.

"It's been a great experience for the kids," Sheff said. "You wouldn't trade it."

Contact reporter Bartt Davis at bdavis@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5230.