All summer the Derby Twins worked to earn their way to the NBC World Series. Once they were there they lost their first game against the Conejo Oaks, finding themselves in the losers bracket. From then on the team had to fight to keep their head above water.
“Getting yourself immediately into the losers bracket is a tough, tough road,” head coach Bill Shaw said.
The Twins were able to pull themselves up and win their next game against the San Diego Stars, beating them 5-1.
Beginning very early Saturday morning was the Twins’ third game of the NBC World Series against the Havasu Heat from Arizona.
It was a game they had been preparing for by holding night practices before the series even began.  It was the game that would send the Twins packing for home.
The Derby team was hindered by the same issue they have been struggling with all summer, hitting.
“We’re just not an extremely good offensive ball team,” Shaw said.
Although they pitching staff was exception and the defense was not hurting either the Twins could rarely find it in them to string together a decent amount of hits.
The game remained at 1-0 until close to the very end. The Twins’ hope remained as well.
“We were still right in there with an opportunity to tie it up or take the lead, and we couldn’t get it done,” Shaw said.
In the eighth inning the Heat stepped to the plate ready to earn another run. That is exactly what they did. The game became 2-0, the Heat in the lead.
“When you’re not hitting well and you give up one run, it feels like you’ve given up ten runs,” Shaw said.
The Twins lost the game 2-0.
Even though they were unable to pull out of the World Series higher than they did Shaw reminds the players that there were much more positives to this season than negatives.
“The positives are about more than just winning or losing baseball games,” Shaw said.
Not only have the team members formed possible life-long friendships they have given members of the Derby community an opportunity to take them in and offer their home and support.
“To the foster parents those boys were like their own sons,” Shaw said.
Shaw commends the entire town of Derby for being so welcoming toward the team.
“It speaks very highly of your town that your community is so sports oriented that you take the team on your shoulders,” Shaw said.