Thirty years after making Battle Ground Little League history, members of the 1996 Battle Ground Little League minors softball team returned to the diamond Saturday, May 30, to be recognized during the league’s closing ceremonies.
The team remains one of the most successful in local Little League history. Coached by Linda Hill, Lonnie Hill and Eric McCabe, the squad became the first Battle Ground Little League softball team to reach and win a state championship.
For Linda Hill, the recognition brought back memories of a special group of players, families and supporters.
“Well, it was amazingly special because we’re the only team from Battle Ground to make it to state and win,” Linda Hill said. “And, so, we did it again in ‘98 with pretty much the same girls. It was an honor. It was a privilege.”
Linda Hill credited the team’s success to the dedication of the players and the support they received from the community.
“The best fans, the best parents,” she said. “The players were amazingly focused. Some of them went on to play college. Some of them just were amazing athletes. And, so, I feel very lucky and blessed to have such a great group of girls.”
The ceremony also served as a reminder of the deep family connections many local residents have with Battle Ground Little League. The connection to the community spans generations for Hill’s family. Linda Hill attended Saturday’s event while watching her grandson participate in the program.
“My grandson is actually one of the kids out here right now,” she said. “So, it’s kind of funny that, you know, it’s like bringing it full circle. My daughter was on the team, and her daughter’s 3. So, she’s going to be wanting to play for Battle Ground. So, it’s neat to have all those things.”
Looking back, Linda Hill said Little League represented far more than wins and losses. The friendships and life lessons built through the program remain some of its greatest accomplishments.
“Everything,” she said when asked what Little League has meant to her family. “It meant community. It meant loving and being decent human beings.”
Hill believes those values remain as important as ever.
“We’re missing that in today’s world,” she said. “So, I do feel really blessed that it gives camaraderie, confidence to the kids. They’re still talking about it. You know, they’re talking about the memories they had and how great it was, best time of their lives.”
Three decades after winning a state title, the memories continue to endure for the players who wore Battle Ground uniforms and for the coach who helped guide them there.
“That’s what means something to me,” Hill said. “You know what I mean? So, I really think that Battle Ground is a great, great community. People are very friendly. I love that part.”
