WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — There are a lot of perks that come with being in the Little League World Series.

First, the 16 teams participated in a two-mile parade today around South Williamsport.

I was really amazed to see 15,000 to 20,000 people along the parade route.

The people here are really supportive of the tournament. There were many people having barbeques in their backyard as the teams drove by in semi-flat bed trucks.

We shared a truck with the team from White Rock, British Columbia, Canada. We were in the final "float."

Second, our players were given three bats apiece from the tournament's sponsors: Louisville Slugger, Easton and Wilson deMariani.

Most of our guys picked the Easton Stealth model, which retails for up to $379.95.

It was like Christmas.

Lastly, there is an amazing recreation center here.

They have a video game room, ping-pong table, large-screen TV and a Wii. The players from all the teams mingled with each other.

On Wednesday, we went to the ESPN truck and did player interviews. It's pretty simple. Our guys just said their name and named their favorite player, just like how we did at the West Reginal in San Bernardino.

We held a 75-minute batting practice this morning at one of the practice fields. It was a one-mile walk from our dormitory.

Tomorrow is the opening ceremonies, and we'll play the team from Shelton, Conn., at noon Hawai'i time.

Teams from Tampa, Fla., and Rapid City, S.D., are in Pool B with us.

Caleb Duhay will get the start for us today.

Khade Paris, who left the regional final with a sore elbow, threw today and said he felt all right. He'll throw again tomorrow.

In San Bernardino, we had around 45 friends and family members to support us. Here, we have around 50 to 55.

Our players are very relaxed. It's been that way ever since we left Hawai'i. I don't know how to explain it. We haven't been playing tight. We don't pressure out.

I hope things continue today.

LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES

Pool play schedule; all Hawai'i times

At South Williamsport, Pa.

TODAY

Rapid City, S.D. vs. Tampa, Fla., 8 a.m.

White Rock, British Columbia vs. Maricaibo, Venezuela, 10 a.m.

Shelton, Conn. vs. Waipi'o, Hawai'i, noon

Hagerstown, Md. vs. Jeffersonville, Ind., 2 p.m.

TOMORROW

Willemstad, Curacao vs. Matamoros, Tamaulipas, 5 a.m.

Emilia, Italy vs. Yona, Guam, 7 a.m.

Rapid City, S.D. vs. Shelton, Conn., 9:30 a.m.

Tokyo vs. Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, noon

Lake Charles, La. vs. Mill Creek, Wash., 2 p.m.

SUNDAY, AUG. 17

Emilia, Italy vs. Matamoros, Tamaulipas, 6 .m.

White Rock, British Columbia vs. Tokyo, 7 a.m.

Jeffersonville, Ind. vs. Lake Charles, La., 9:30 a.m.

Maricaibo, Venezuela vs. Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, noon

Tampa, Fla. vs. Waipi'o, Hawai'i, 2 p.m.

MONDAY, AUG. 18

Mill Creek, Wash. vs. Hagerstown, Md., 6 a.m.

Yona, Guam vs. Matamoros, Tamaulipas, 7 a.m.

Rapid City, S.D. vs. Waipi'o, Hawai'i, 9 a.m.

Willemstad, Curacao vs. Emilia, Italy, 10 a.m.

Tampa, Fla. vs. Shelton, Conn., noon

TUESDAY, AUG. 19

Maricaibo, Venezuela vs. Tokyo, 6 a.m.

Mill Creek, Wash. vs. Jeffersonville, Ind., 8 a.m.

White Rock, British Columbia vs. Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 10 a.m.

Willemstad, Curacao vs. Yona, Guam, Noon

Lake Charles, La. vs. Hagerstown, Md., 2 p.m.