RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Iker Castaneda starts out on the mound for Mexico during the International game against Japan at the Little League World Series on Tuesday. Japan won 6-0.

There was disappointment after Tuesday’s game from fans and players of the El Swing Perfecto Little league team from Chihuahua, Mexico.

The Mexico team had a tough run at the Little League World Series. Mexico fell to Chinese Taipei on the second day of the tournament, 3-0, and from there had to win two games in two days in the elimination bracket.

Mexico used five home runs, including a grand slam, to eliminate Puerto Rico on Saturday, 11-5, before bouncing earning a 2-1 thrilling win over Panama on Sunday.

Navigating the elimination bracket is far from an easy task, and unfortunately for Mexico, the run came to a close on Tuesday with a 6-0 loss to a strong Japan team.

But sitting alongside an interpreter at the post-game press conference, Mexico manager Esteban Gallardo wasn’t mad his team didn’t make a run. He wasn’t upset they didn’t win.

He had everything in perspective. This is the Little League World Series, and you’re among the best in the world.

“It’s a privilege to be here. We’re happy, but not satisfied with our actions. We didn’t perform as we expected, but we have strength to work harder and do better next year,” Gallardo said.

“It’s a magical tournament and I’m happy with the team that they worked hard,” Gallardo added. “We need to emphasize that they are kids and they are coming here to do their best.”

That’s the spirit of Little League at the World Series. Yes, everyone is playing to be named the best team in the world, run around the field at Lamade Stadium holding the Little League World Series championship and touch the bust of Howard J. Lamade after the final game. But the journey to get to South Williamsport is impressive in itself for all 20 teams that find themselves here.

“A lot of people are happy (back home) with the work that we did,” Gallardo said. “My mind is focused on work and trying to come back here and have better results because the majority of the goal is already established. (Getting here) is not an exception.”

Losing can teach lessons in life at the youth sports level. And losing at the World Series is no exception. It stings for the players from Mexico, but no doubt they’re looking at the positives to take away from it.

Gallardo sure did.

“Everyone can go and think about what they did so they can see the opportunities and continue working to be a better player and a better person,” Gallardo summed up.

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Another facility is being repurposed near downtown Huntsville, and while it’s not as old as the 165-year-old Huntsville Depot that is awaiting a facelift, the newest reclamation project holds its own firm place in city history.

Goldsmith-Schiffman Field, which opened in 1934 to host football games, is getting a makeover, not as an athletic venue, but as a neighborhood park. The field and its iconic stone walls hosted football games until 2012, when the infrastructure was deemed unsafe. Afterward, it continued to serve as a venue for soccer matches and flag football.

District 2 City Councilman David Little hosted a town hall and public input meeting at Optimist Park. He was joined by City Administrator John Hamilton, contractors and other civic and city leaders. After a slide presentation, questions and feedback were entertained from residents.

“We’re trying to put in all the things that we’re hearing (from public feedback) as best we can for a place that has stuff for kids, stuff for the organized youth athletics that it’s hosted for many, many years,’’ Hamilton said. “And then some of the new stuff like flag football, pickleball courts.

“Or, just as a great place to go, have a picnic with your family, go on a walking path, whatever it may be. And then some other things that, you know, for years we needed bathrooms in there. As a temporary solution, we had a trailer bathroom inside the facility and now it’s getting some permanent bathrooms, things like that.’’

The cost of the project is expected to land between $8-10 million and will come from the 1990 capital improvement plan.

Alterations planned to the site include:

* Two new flag football fields, which will be 30 yards by 70 yards

* A playground with a rubberized surface

* Pavilion with restroom facilities

* Two pickleball courts

* New lighting and much-needed expanded parking

* ADA-accessible parking and upgraded accessibility features throughout the park

* New concessions/restrooms

Neighborhood kids once climbed over those stone walls to play pickup games or sneak into bonafide ticket-required events. Those days are long gone, but the stadium isn’t and is being rebranded as Goldsmith-Schiffman Park. It sits at 320 Beirne Ave. behind the new Stella at Five Points off Pratt Avenue. One big change will be to those walls – they’re not all coming down, but some sections are crumbling and will be replaced with link fencing.

“You can see through (the fences) and it’s safe, it gets everybody comfortable with what’s going on (inside the stadium),’’ Hamilton said. “And we can’t save the entire four walls the way it’s currently set up.’’

Both Stella at Five Points and Goldsmith-Schiffman sit on the edge of the Five Points Historic District.

Jonathan Bowler, project manager with contractor Foresite Group, said the team of architects and civil engineers assigned to the project are “trying to give some character of the existing site.’’

Other changes will be turning existing, outdated restrooms into storage space. The main gates will remain, but the entrances will be redesigned to be more pedestrian-friendly. The two main signs entering the stadium will remain, though the lettering may be altered. Crosswalks and green space are also part of the plan.

In January 1935, the Goldsmith and Schiffman families—prominent in Huntsville’s business and civic life and connected through marriage—donated the land to the city. That October, the field was dedicated with a night game in which Huntsville High, then the city’s only high school and led by coach Milton Frank, defeated Gadsden.

Before the month was out, The Huntsville Times reported that seating needed to be added since crowds of 1,500-2,000 or more were turning out “beyond all expectations,’’ forcing a large number of spectators to stand up to four people deep around the wire fencing to get a glimpse of a game they paid a half dollar to see.

As for the field itself, The Times reported it was “equal to that of most college gridirons’’ as rated 90 years ago. Now, the landmark is coming back into play albeit with a different look and purpose.

“We’ve got a large team of design professionals,’’ Bowler said. “I just want to say it’s been an honor being able to work on this. This has been a really fun project.’’

Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and take an estimated 15 months to complete.

DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis men’s basketball has announced the hiring of Reece Lakritz as the program’s video coordinator and assistant director of basketball operations ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Lakritz, who has spent the past two years with the program, first joined the Aggies in September 2023 as a student manager. During his time in that role, he assisted with team operations and later began working with players during individual offseason workouts. His passion for player development also led him to launch a basketball training business, serving youth athletes in Davis, Sacramento, and throughout Yolo County.

A native of Petaluma, Lakritz is a current UC Davis student studying Communications and English, where he is on track to graduate in 2026.

A clear vision: Dr. Robert Sams to be inducted into Carter County Sports Hall of Fame

Published 10:43 am Thursday, August 21, 2025

By C.Y. Peters

In 2026, Dr. Robert Sams will take his place among Carter County’s most respected names when he is inducted into the Carter County Sports Hall of Fame. Known to most as the friendly face behind the optometry office on Sycamore Street, Sams’ impact stretches far beyond eye care — into the heart of youth sports, mentorship and community service.

When Sams retired in 2015, it marked the end of 50 years of dedicated eye care in downtown Elizabethton. His career path, however, was anything but direct. After graduating high school, he initially enrolled in the pre-dental program at East Tennessee State University. But fate intervened during a library study session, where a brochure sparked his curiosity about optometry. That interest deepened during a trip to Memphis with the ETSU band, when he walked three miles just to visit the Southern College of Optometry. That visit set his course.

Sams graduated from optometry school in 1962, then served three years in the U.S. Army — working as a commissioned optometrist rather than in combat. In 1965, he returned to Elizabethton and opened his practice in a brand-new building owned by local businessman Robert Simerly. The handshake rental agreement they made — a rare and trusting arrangement — would last for decades. Over the years, Sams treated more than 113,000 patients, numbering each one sequentially. His very first patient was his mother; his last, his granddaughter.

Through it all, Sams’ guiding principle was simple: he only wanted to make a difference in someone else’s life. He always made sure that kids knew there was an opportunity to be better — mentally, emotionally, physically and financially. If that meant helping them along the way, he was ready to do it. He mentored around 20 young people over the years, offering them guidance, financial help and unconditional support through high school and, if they wished, into college. Many of those young people came from difficult circumstances, but under Sams’ encouragement, they found stability and direction. His only rule? “Listen to my advice when I offer it.”

Sports held a special place in his heart. Though he described himself as just an “average athlete,” Sams always loved the games. He chose not to play organized sports in school because he never wanted to be a bother. His father, Paul, worked hard, and his mother, Kate, did not drive — so he worried it would be an inconvenience for his dad to have to pick him up from practices or games. Still, his love of athletics never left him, and he even took part in the once-popular “Doctors Game,” where local physicians faced off in good fun on the court.

A passionate supporter of Elizabethton basketball, Sams could often be found courtside, backing the Cyclones in their quest for victory. He stood beside Coach Len Dugger during the unforgettable 2014 TSSAA Girls State Championship run, celebrating the program’s crowning achievement. His unwavering support for the youth of Carter County — whether through sports, personal mentorship or simply showing up — has been one of the driving forces behind his Hall of Fame recognition.

Beyond his professional and community work, Sams has lived a life rich in travel and experiences. With his wife, Martha, he has visited all 50 states and 40 countries. He reached his 50th state, Oregon, on his 50th birthday, and counts Virginia, Venice and Australia among his favorite destinations. The couple raised two children, Brian and Amy, and have built a legacy rooted in service, kindness and commitment to others.

In 2026, when Dr. Robert Sams’ name is called at the Carter County Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, it won’t just honor a career in optometry — it will celebrate a lifetime of vision, in every sense of the word.

Midnight Recovery

CASSADAGA – The Citizens for a Better Cassadaga proudly announce the next line up in their summer concert series.

On Sunday from 5-7 p.m., headliner Midnight Recovery will rock the Floating Stage with classic rock and country tunes. Cortney Chyme (vocals), Todd Langworthy (bass, vocals), Paul Przybycien (guitar) and Kevin Parker (drums) will have you singing along to your favorite covers in no time. They have been nominated as Best Classic Rock Band by the Buffalo Music Awards and Cortney was nominated as Best Female Lead Vocalist.

Just before Midnight Recovery, from 4-5 p.m. Cassadaga’s own Mark Wilson will be performing in the gazebo. Wilson is a SUNY Fredonia School of Music graduate, and sang professionally before switching careers to coaching. Wilson and his guitar will take you down memory lane with music you’ll want to sing along with.

The Floating Stage and Beach Gazebo are located at Cassadaga Beach, Park Avenue, Cassadaga. This beautiful lakeside park is the perfect venue for a summer evening of fun and relaxation. Come listen to the music, swim in the lake, let the kids use the playground and play on the beach. There are picnic tables and grills for you to use. Cassadaga Youth Sports will be there with food and drink or bring your own. Local artists and authors are welcome to set up a table and sell their creations. Please call 716-665-8855 if interested. Come by boat or bring a chair or blanket. Parking is limited at the beach so please park at the nearby church, library or firehall if you are willing and able.

Funding is made possible for the Cassadaga Lakes Summer Concert Series through Arts Services Inc.’s Creative Impact Fund thanks to a New York State Senate Initiative supported by the NYS Legislature and the Office of the Governor and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts.

In case of inclement weather, this event will be moved to the Cassadaga Fire Hall on 22 Mill St. or American Legion Post 1280 on 228 Maple Ave. For more information, please call 716-665-8855.