Before taking on Mets, J-Rod takes time to connect with Little Leaguers

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- This wasn’t the way the Mariners wanted a special day filled with pin trading, selfies, ping-pong and hill sliding to end.

It’s easy for a 7-3 loss to the Mets on Sunday evening at Bowman Field to leave a sour taste in Seattle’s collective mouths for its first Little League Classic experience. But at the same time, they’re all able to take a moment to step back and realize that this was about more than a game.

And no one understood that more than star center fielder Julio Rodríguez.

A day after he was under the weather, Rodríguez was full of energy, ready to give every Little Leaguer an experience he only wished he could’ve had when he was a kid, sitting at home watching the Little League World Series on television.

Cutting up cardboard boxes so they’re flat, slick and can be ridden like a sled on worn-down grass is something you have to do when you visit the Little League World Series. And after such a long wait to finally get to Williamsport, Pa., Rodríguez wasn’t going to miss his turn.

“I just asked for some quick lessons,” Rodríguez said with a smile. “I knew I was gonna do it. I just needed some quick reassurance and all of that.”

This is a tradition many players take part in when they make stops at the Little League Complex, so this wasn’t particularly unique for Rodríguez. But what made his trip to the hill extra special was what happened afterward. Like Rodríguez does, he took the experience to a whole different level for every young fan in the crowd.

First, he gathered anyone who was in the area for a selfie video. Without hesitation, the kids began chanting “JU-LI-O” over and over until the three-time All-Star started dancing to the cheers. And then he found a spot off to the side in the shade to sit down and talk with any kid who wanted to ask a question.

“It was just a quality moment,” Rodríguez said. “I feel like at the end of the day, I know I’m somebody they look up to and they don’t really get a chance to have an off-the-field hangout on a hill in the shade. They really don’t get a lot of experiences like that. I just feel like it’s my way of giving back and keep encouraging them to do their best.”

Picture one of the game’s biggest stars sitting in the grass in the middle of a swarm of young kids sitting as close to him as they possibly could. Behind them, stood their parents, doing their best to record this special moment that will never be duplicated. Standing on the outside was every bystander who was in awe when they realized that it was Rodríguez who was sitting in the middle of this scrum, fielding questions about his career or anything else that popped into a little kid’s mind.

“If we don’t impact the youth and the people around us in a positive way, we’re doing this for nothing,” Rodríguez said. “That's how I see it.”

Rodríguez finished his hangout session and got to visit the Little Leaguers back at their dorms to play ping-pong and other games. He signed countless autographs, posed for selfies until he ran out of time and entertained every child who ran up to him to show him something about his own life on his phone.

With Bowman Field packed with every Little Leaguer in this year’s tournament in an intimate setting, Rodríguez helped provide some sparks in the Mariners’ offense with a single and a double. He put his inner child on display when he tried to throw out Juan Soto at second base and playfully yelled at him from the outfield when Soto was ruled safe.

Of course, Rodríguez’s goal of the day was to make sure the Mariners won the game. But that didn’t mean the other goals weren’t as significant. He wanted to make sure each kid in the ballpark had an unforgettable experience, especially if this was his first Major League game. He wanted to answer every question that any player or fan had. He wanted everyone to walk away with a photo or an autograph. Most importantly, he wanted everyone to see first-hand that you just need to have fun when you’re out on the field, no matter how old you are.

Mission accomplished.