Rasmus.Biz  2007

 Montgomery Advertiser Article

World Series success still follows duo

By Lori Dann
Montgomery Advertiser

Central-Phenix City's Bryan Woodall, left, and Russell County's Colby Rasmus, who once played on the same Little League World Series team, will lead the South All-Stars against the North today at 4 p.m. at Paterson Field.

Not many baseball players' careers are defined at age 12.

Then again, few have the opportunity to play in the championship game of the Little League World Series -- the world's premier youth sporting event.

Certainly no one thought a small team from southeast Alabama had much of chance of winning the title back in 1999, when tournament newcomer Phenix City knocked off defending U.S champion Toms River (N.J.) 3-2 to secure a spot in the finals against Osaka, Japan.

Although the Phenix City team lost that final game in Williamsport, Pa., it won over the hearts of a national television audience with its improbable run. And its players became instant heroes in their hometown.

"When we came back home, it was just awesome," said pitcher Bryan Woodall, who threw five scoreless innings in the U.S. championship game and is now one of the state's top high school pitchers and outfielders at Central-Phenix City. "Nothing big had ever happened around there before, so everyone was really excited. Everyone was asking us who we met and what we did."

Five years later, not much has changed.

When Woodall and former World Series teammate Colby Rasmus practiced with the South All-Stars for the first time Sunday in preparation for today's North-South baseball game at Paterson Field, it didn't take long for their fellow all-stars to ask some of those same questions.

It's always like that," said Rasmus, a pitcher/outfielder at Russell County High School who hit .490 with 18 home runs last season and was a second-team Louisville Slugger All-American. "I can be at a tournament in Florida and somebody will walk up to me and say, 'Hey, didn't you play on the Little League World Series team?'

"Every team we play against, they know us every time."

Sometimes, they admit, the questions can get old. But they wouldn't trade anything for the memories of their journey, including an opportunity to mingle with the New York Yankees prior to a game at Yankee Stadium.

Woodall still has a framed photograph of himself hugging Rasmus after he got the final out in the U.S. championship game. It's stored in a cabinet in his living room along with his game balls and other souvenirs. Rasmus' collection of memorabilia includes videos, bats, trophies and gold pendants.

"What they did was great for our community," said Central head coach Ron Nelson. "People here had been watching those kids play forever, and it really brought everyone together when they realized that somebody from Phenix City could be the best in the United States at something."

Although the two players are on different high school teams, they still play together in showcase events and tournaments. Both said they were excited about reuniting again for today's all-star game.

So is Opelika head coach Barry Hightower, who will join Robertsdale's Kevin Raley and Rehobeth's Jeff Linder on the South coaching staff.

"It's nice to finally have them on my side instead of playing against them," said Hightower, whose Bulldogs are in the same region at Central and also play Russell County.

Woodall was dubbed "The Iceman" by Phenix City manager Tony Rasmus -- Colby's father -- because of his "un-kidlike" attitude on the mound. Although the nickname didn't stick, Hightower said the demeanor did.

"He's got so much ability and he's real cool," he said of Woodall, who went 8-1 with a 1.68 earned-run average last year and also hit .414. "He understands what the game is about and never panics. He always seems in control. That, coupled with his stuff, make him hard to beat."

Both Woodall and Rasmus are receiving attention from college scouts, and both hope to play professionally in the future.

One day, perhaps their defining moments won't be that memorable trip to Williamsport.

"Hopefully, I'll make it to a real World Series," Rasmus said. "And win it."

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