NATCHITOCHES, La. – They made history becoming the first Louisiana team crowned Little League World Series Champions in 2019. Now, a celebration of their achievement is on deck with a special exhibit at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. On Sunday, August 7, a new exhibit called The East Bank All-Stars: Making Little League History honoring the Jefferson Parish team is set to be unveiled during a private reception at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in Natchitoches.
“Winning the Little League World Series is truly a great accomplishment for such an outstanding group of young men, and to be the first team from Louisiana to win this championship, that is something special,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “We are honored to be able to recognize their magical baseball season in a way that everyone who visits the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest History Museum can enjoy and feel as though they were a part of it.”
In addition to becoming Louisiana’s first Little League World Series Champions, the Eastbank All-Stars became the first team since the tournament’s expansion to 16 teams in 2001 – and second in the tournament’s history – to win the title after losing their first game. Despite that first loss in tournament play, the team from River Ridge maintained their confidence and determination to put together a six-game win streak, outscoring opponents 44-8, including three shutout victories. On August 25, 2019, the Eastbank All-Stars Little League team capped their dramatic run with an 8-0 victory over Curaçao at Howard J. Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
“I am extremely honored to be a part of recognizing these outstanding student athletes,” said U.S. Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. “These outstanding players were the first from our home state of Louisiana to win this coveted title. I am pleased to join our very own Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser in highlighting and showcasing their incredible journey to victory.”
The exhibition includes a diverse array of artifacts from the team’s experiences playing in the 2019 Little League World Series, many of which the players loaned for the display. Artifact highlights include equipment used and uniforms worn by the players, Mardi Gras throws made especially for the team, and items from their flight home from the White House aboard Air Force One.
“On behalf of Eastbank Little League and the members of the 2019 Louisiana state champion team, I want to thank Lt. Governor Nungesser and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum. It’s an honor to have an exhibit on display recognizing all the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments of these talented young men who were a part of Louisiana’s 2019 Little League World Series championship team,” said Eastbank All-Star Coach Scott Frasier.