WARNER ROBINS -- Even without a dog in the hunt, the local community turned out to see which teams would be heading to the Little League Softball World Series.
Several hundred people were on hand to watch Florida and North Carolina battle it out in a tight game, with no scoring through five innings of play.
Fans dotted the outfield hill, which a few dozen children slid down on makeshift sleds made out of cardboard boxes.
The most colorful fans were the older siblings of the Florida players.
Shaq Stoudemire, Dustin King and Drake Haff dyed half of their hair orange, painted their faces black and orange and wore orange leis.
“We brought a bunch of the beach atmosphere,” said Haff, calling the game the “big kahuna” of the week.
Sarah Lucas, who dyed her blonde hair a bright orange, said the Florida group wanted to bring a bit of the Sunshine State to Georgia.
It also pumped up the Florida team, who “were on fire,” Haff said.
North Carolina fans were more subdued in their appearance, but their voices and chants stood out.
After scoring seven runs in the top of the sixth inning, the bleachers under the canopy shook with the stomping of the North Carolina fans’ feet.
Coach Susan Sirrah from the 2010 World Series softball championship team threw out the first pitch. Joining her on the mound were a few members of that team and the coaching staff, along with several board members and players from Warner Robins American Little League.
Wearing their orange Southeast jerseys, some of the 2010 team watched the game, sitting in between the families of both teams.
Some of the same players from WRALL made Facebook friends with the Wilkes County team last year during the rain delay during the 2010 championship game.
Even Bobby Killebrew from Warner Robins got excited enough to clap and cheer after a spectacular play at home plate.
“That was awesome,” he said.
Warner Robins resident Mike Martin was there last year and said he’ll be at the stadium later this week for the baseball tournament.
“I’m a Little League fan,” he said.
Standing on the North Carolina side were family members who drove to Warner Robins from near Augusta.
Tommy and Barbara Chapman’s niece, Kailey McNeil, plays for the Wilkes County team.
They made the two-hour drive down from Warren County on Saturday and drove back Monday.
“The competition is tight,” Barbara Chapman said.
After his niece made a play to end the fourth inning with the bases loaded and two outs, Tommy Chapman breathed a sigh of relief.
“Hot dog, we’re outta this mess!” he said.
