The Long Island, New York, team that is currently vying for a Little League World Series berth credits a ban on phone use during team activities for much of its success.
While the Port Washington Little League team lost on Monday to the team from New Jersey, they are still just two wins away from the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. And, according to them, cell phone restrictions before games are the key to the team’s extraordinary success this season.
On game days, Port Washington players put their phones in a bucket five hours before the start of play to stay focused. They told the New York Post that it began while they were participating in the New York State Championship tournament in West Nyack in late July.
“I think it’s like an on button for us,” said assistant coach Anthony Theoharis, adding, “Once they do that, they get locked in, and they beat a team.”
Five hours without their phones seemed like a lot at the time
Naturally, the players were a little hesitant to take such drastic measures at first. “At first, it was like, ‘What!? Five hours!'” Theoharis said.
Now, however, third baseman Jack Gomez says “it’s a good luck charm.”
Considering Port Washington won its first-ever New York State Little League title in its 63-year history, it’s hard to argue with the results of the phone ban on game days.
“They just go back to basics and love talking to each other, having fun, being creative, hanging out in each other’s [hotel] rooms,” said Rikki Kien, mother of shortstop Brandon. “Talking constantly about the game, talking about what’s happened so far this summer, and for sure, more natural face-to-face time with one another.”
On Wednesday, the Port Washington players face elimination when they take on the team from Darien, Connecticut, at 5 p.m. local time. If they win, they get to run it back against the team from New Jersey on Friday for a chance at a berth in the Little League World Series.