By RYAN MARTINEZ
Valley Press Staff Writer
Going to the Big League World Series, is a special feeling, one that a big leaguer doesn't want to forget. That's why Chanel Reaves is trying to get back there with her District 51 Regional teammates. Reaves was on the team in 2002 when it made it to the Big League World Series and placed third. "It was very unforgettable," said Reaves during her team's practice on Aug. 3 at Monte Vista Little League field. Despite Reaves' excitement to make it back to the World Series, this is a hectic time for her. Reaves, who graduated in June from Quartz Hill High, is set to play softball for Iowa Western Community College and starts the fall semester in less than a month. If the District 51 team advances out of the Western Regional Tournament being held at Domenic Massari Park in Palmdale, Reaves will be spending her last weeks in Kalamazoo, Mich., which is hosting the World Series for the 25th consecutive year. "It's exciting, yet kind of tedious," said Reaves, who would leave for Iowa on the day the team would be coming back from the World Series. "On the days we don't have games, I'm at home packing." District 51 had its first game of the tournament on Sunday and opened with a stellar performance against the Oregon District 1 team, winning 10-0 in five innings. The team, which is made up of girls from several Valley high schools, plays today at 8 p.m. against the winner of Monday night's late game between California District 16 and California District 4. When Reaves isn't with her team, she has been doing all she can to have fun and say bye to friends and family. "I went to Disneyland. I had to do that before I left," Reaves said. "I'm seeing my friends as much as possible and I went and saw my grandma for the last time, if I go to Michigan, until Thanksgiving. My dad's family is here and I'm just trying to see everyone before I go. I'm really into family and friends." Reaves is a three-year veteran of the District 51 team, along with teammate Tayler Wilson, and has enjoyed every minute of it. "It's always a fun experience," Reaves said. "There's never really any drama. It's always just a fun tournament." One of the reasons she has liked the team is because of the coaches, Walt Patison, Ray Beltrami and Scott Rutledge. "It's a really big part of me playing," Reaves said. "Ever since my first year they have never put anybody down. I love playing for them." Patison, who has been part of the Little League program for six years, has enjoyed having Reaves on the team. "Girls like that make it worthwhile to continue with this program," Patison said. "She's a good example of a girl that can do both, play travel ball and big league." Travel ball is how Reaves caught the eye of the Iowa Western coach Lana Ross. "My travel coach told me that (Ross) was interested in me and so we were able to work it out," said Reaves, who in late July visited the Iowa Western campus, which is located in Council Bluffs. Despite being a junior college, Iowa Western was able to give Reaves a scholarship to play softball for the Reivers because of the price of out of state tuition for attendance. "Reaves will have an immediate impact on the Reivers' outfield. She adds experience and speed to the outfield and that is exactly what we have been searching for." said Ross in a press release. Reaves has plans to transfer to Oregon State University to play softball and take advantage of their nursing program.