New book revisits El Segundo's Little League World Series title and the values behind it
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (KABC) -- Three years after El Segundo's Little League team captured a World Series championship, its coach is helping preserve the story through a new book that chronicles the team's title run and the lessons learned along the way.
"Second to None: A Coach's Message of Love and Selflessness Propels Tiny El Segundo to a Dramatic Little League World Title" recounts the team's 2023 12-U All-Stars World Series championship and the values that helped guide the players to success.
Coach and co-author Danny Boehle said he wanted the book to serve as a lasting tribute to the players, families and community.
"Dreams came true for these little kids because they just trusted in what we had to offer them, and they believed in what we did," Boehle said.
"I wanted to make El Segundo feel that this is a story to them and I wanted to preserve it for the families and the kids and the legacy that will last forever," he said.
The book was co-authored by El Segundo native Dan Coonan, who serves as CEO of the Eastern College Athletic Conference.
"For El Segundo to win a championship like this, any little town, a tiny town like El Segundo, it's not just a once in a lifetime thing, or even a once in a century, it could be a once in an eternity, and for me, to help bring this to the page is really special," Coonan said.
According to the authors, the book extends beyond the team's championship run, which ended with a 6-5 victory secured by a walk-off home run to win the World Series title. The story also explores leadership, team culture and coaching principles that encouraged players to keep believing in themselves and one another.
"It wasn't about the World Series, that was just the result of what we did. It was more about the love, the selflessness of playing for each other," Boehle said.
Coonan said those themes are reflected throughout the team's journey.
"Each time Danny's at the mound, he's saying, ''Great job, great job, I love you, I'm so proud of you,'" Coonan said.
The book is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. For Boehle, the impact of coaching continues to be measured by the lessons young athletes carry with them beyond the baseball field.
"To me, it makes me happy to make a difference in kids lives and to give them life lessons to learn and if I can just hit 2 or 3 out of the many, then I've done a good job," Boehle said.
