"We pray together. We play together. We stay together."

The Bryant All-Star 13s assistant coach Randy Kelly used those words to describe how his team won the Babe Ruth World Series Championship on Aug. 22 at Gene Lobe Fields in Kitsap, Washington. Their final game was a 4-3 win over Greenville, North Carolina.

Kelly said he began a prayer circle before each game. “The players will not let me go without doing prayer before the game. Win, lose or draw, we are going to serve the Lord. We will show praise and honor to the Lord in all that we do,” Kelly said.

The majority of the team started playing together as six-year-olds with Coach Jerry East. The boys were welcomed home with a parade along Reynolds Road, a pep rally at Bryant Middle School and a formal ceremony at Bishop Park. At the park, East told the crowd that as a boy he always had a dream of going to the World Series. Through this team, his dream was fulfilled, too.

Parents, coaches and team members agreed that their relationship with each other was a big key in their success. “If we don’t stick together, we won’t win,” said Garrett Misenheimer, catcher and third baseman for the team. “In every practice, we would run as a team.” If one player was running slowly, the team would slow down. If one was running faster, the team would speed up, he explained.

Even off the field the families bonded as a team, especially when the financial costs became a challenge to many of the families. “Our entire team would jump in and help where they could,” said Tammy East, wife of the head coach and mom to Jake. “Almost every parent participated,” she said of the multiple fundraisers.

Even though the team enjoyed a 19-game winning streak this year, they have had losses in the past. Last year, the team missed the invite to the championship series. “I think they were motivated more by that loss. They worked really hard after that, with two-hour practices every night since the end of the league season,” Tammy said.

Besides hard work, the coaches also stressed the importance of balance, including good grades and staying focused. They asked to see players’ report cards at the end of the year and encouraged the players to pick one sport and stick with it…a decision that paid off with a national title. Congratulations Bryant All Stars!

Find Family Fun at Bryant’s Fall Fest

Ever wonder how well duct tape holds up in the water? Your family can find out by competing in the Duct Tape Boat Races at Bryant’s Fall Fest on Oct. 6 at Bishop Park.

Even those who don’t compete can watch the races at 11 a.m. and enjoy a few laughs with about 14,000 other people.

The festival will also include a pancake breakfast at 9:30 a.m., a parade at 10 a.m., fireworks at 8 p.m., and a host of other activities throughout the day.

KidZland will keep your little ones entertained with free activities, such as bubbles, spray chalk and games. Other attractions, like the bounce houses, slides and inflatables, do require a ticket.

The Saline County Arts Project will be taking registration for their visual and performing art classes. Stop by to see live artist demonstrations, learn about yarn bombing, make your stamp on a community art wall, enter a pumpkin-decorating contest (carved, painted or blinged), and take in performances by Saline County Arts Project dance, theater and music students.

For more info about Bryant’s Fall Fest, call the Bryant Chamber of Commerce at 847-4702 or visit Bryant-AR.com.