New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu knows exactly where he will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday: sitting in his family room watching ESPN on television.
That’s when state and New England Regional champs – the Salem All-Stars – will play in their Little League World Series opener against the West champs from Hawaii.
For this event, Sununu is a fan, but he also has a little extra skin in the game. He grew up in Salem and is a former Salem All-Star. – needs a line explaining what an All-Star is – I’m not even sure I quite understand. Are these kids who move up to a more elite position from other teams? Begs quick explanation
“I remember my first game that year, I struck out four times,” Sununu recalled of his 12-year-old self.
“I pretty much figured my career was probably over. But the next game something clicked,” he added. “I think I started swinging a little earlier. My confidence took off. And I ended up having the best year of my career.”
Sununu was later chosen to play on one of two Salem All-Star teams. – Not quite following. Were those tryouts he was describing above? Seemed like he had already been chosen
“I think we lost to Londonderry and a team from Manchester, in our first two games, and we were out,” said Sununu – out of what?.
But Sununu did continue to play baseball for Salem, and then elsewhere after his father, John Sununu, brought home the unexpected news that the family was moving just as Chris was about to enter his freshman year in Salem.
His dad, who was a close confidant with George H.W. Bush, told him they would be moving to the Washington, D.C. area to be the president’s chief of staff.
“There was no warning,” said Sununu, the second youngest of eight children. “It was crushing to say the least. I was the only one of my (older) siblings that was not going to be a Blue Devil. I was leaving friends I’d grown up with my entire life.”
After moving he played baseball at a high school in Virginia, and later he tried out at MIT. After a few fall practices, however, he realized it was time to hang up the spikes.
“When I played baseball and put the glove down in August, I wouldn’t pick it up again until March,” Sununu said. “There was soccer or football and winter sports. These warmer weather areas play baseball a lot longer, sometimes year-round.”
Sununu had heard about Salem Youth Baseball’s dedication to keeping teams together longer. The young athletes play together in the spring, too, in travel leagues, with coaches remaining with the same teams, as well.
“I love hearing that,” said Sununu. “That’s what’s happening in Texas and California. We always had good baseball in Salem, but this is to the next level, what they’re doing now.”
Sununu said the Salem All-Stars getting to the World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, has been the talk of the state.
“We are very proud people in the Granite State and we want the Salem team to enjoy this experience, win or lose,” he said. “I can’t wait to watch them play.”
As for any advice for the boys, Sununu said, “Maybe make the pitchers work a little bit and swing a little earlier because the boys they’ll be facing probably throw it a little harder.”
Then he thought a bit and added, “But I wouldn’t listen to me. These boys are way better than I ever was. I’d listen to their coaches first. I just want to hear that they had a great experience in Williamsport.
“Go Salem!”