BY RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

Ruth. Mantle. Robinson. Ripken.

Countless all time greats have been enshrined at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York over the years.

And maybe, just maybe, some future greats will walk through those halls a week from today, representing our region, no less.

For over a year, parents and players of the River League Pelicans travel team have been working to raise money so that the team may travel to Cooperstown to play in the 96 team Cooperstown Dreams Park invitational tournament.

And numerous fundraising can-shakes, magazine sales, dinners, pools and raffles later, the Pelicans are only a week away from playing on that big stage.

“I’m really excited. I’ve never played outside the state before,” said Brandon Hymel.

Now comprised entirely of 12-year-olds, the Pelicans were established in 2004 as a summer collection of players from clubs like Larayo, Longview, and Reserve Bantum, among others.

Sean Roussel, who has coached with the team in the past and now helps with its organization, says the team began after a group of parents began talking during Little League season about giving their boys the chance to play in a different setting.

The Pelicans were born, and since the team’s inception its players played in numerous games and tournaments, primarily around the New Orleans and Baton Rouge area.

While others have joined since then, seven players remain from the original team. As their high school years approach, the very real chance that this could be the last year of Pelicans baseball made the team parents look for a way to perhaps send the squad out with a bang.

“We decided to do something really big to end it on,” said Roussel.

After mulling over options, the Cooperstown trip edged out one to a tournament based out of Disney World — the Dreams tourney came with glowing recommendations from those who had made the trip with other local teams in recent years.

Now, the Pelicans are working hard to ensure the trip comes not without a few wins.

“We’ve been doing a lot in the community to raise money, and now that we’re going, we’re practicing real hard,” said Austin Robertson.

The team will depart Thursday, register on Sunday, and play games in the tournament for the next week.

Along the way, a trip to the Hall of Fame is planned. Some Major League ballparks are on the itinerary as well, as some players will visit Fenway Park, others Citi Field and others still Yankee Stadium.

But the Pelican games are still at center of the trip.

“Now that we’re a little closer, I can definitely see them getting excited,” said Pelicans coach David Rollo. “They’re ready for a lot of great competition, so we’re just trying to get them prepared now.”

At Wednesday’s practice, the team’s final “around the horn” drill was claimed by some players to be a personal record for the squad.

“That’s the fastest we’ve done it,” said Mason Bordelon.

They’ll try to recreate that defensive wizardry next week.

As for their expectations? Having fun, enjoying a long trip with friends, competing, and…

Oh, right.

“Winning the tournament,” said Nick Roussel. “Bringing back a championship.”