The players on the 8U Home Plate Chili Dogs ran around and goofed off around the parking lot of the Kiwanis Complex last Wednesday, while their parents emblazoned their cars and vans with painted messages about their team.

The Chili Dogs were heading to the AABC Roberto Clemente World Series, and they were told that the reason they were waiting around in a parking lot was so the newspaper could take a team picture. Soon, a stretch SUV limousine pulled up and Superman got out of the vehicle, shaking hands and congratulating the boys on making it to the final series. The players received t-shirts with the Superman logo on the front and a message reading “Shock the World” on the back.
The team entered the vehicle and got a police escort to downtown Fayetteville on their way to McDonough, which was where the AABC World Series was held. Games started on Thursday, and the Chili Dogs started the double elimination tournament with a loss to the Gresham Park Braves.

On Friday morning, the team bounced back and defeated the Wallen Wizards from Indiana, 19-12. Later that night, they beat the Moriarity Vipers from New Mexico, 22-6.

In the game that would have sent them to the final, the Chili Dogs lost an extremely close six-inning game to the Puerto Rico Carolinas, 15-14. The Carolinas center fielder made a leaping catch at the fence, pulling in what would have been the game-winning two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
In the final, the Carolinas lost to McDonough Elite by a run.

The 8U Home Plate Chili Dogs finished the season with a record of 50-18.

Team members are Drew Peurifoy, J.D. Norred, Jared Baker, Hunter Guess, Cale Jackson, Colby Taylor, Myles Mitchell, Dane Bullock, Matthew Mullins, Zach Yeager, Cole Evans and Matthew Sparr. Guest players for the World Series were Josh Palmer, Austin Avans and Brandon Bell.

Coaches are Greg Guess, Marlon Evans and Jason Kinsey. The head coach and manager is Kevin Taylor.

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