Community Corner

West L.A. Little League Pitcher Throws Perfect Game

Vince Malcolm pitches a perfect game against Santa Monica Little League.

Vince Malcolm, a West L.A. Little League pitcher, threw a perfect game last week in the District 25 All Star Playoffs against Santa Monica East.

To pitch a perfect game, the pitcher must not allow any batters on the opposing team to reach a base—through hits, walks, hitting a batter with a pitch. A Little League game lasts six innings, and Malcolm pitched all six. 

"The first inning, I was throwing pretty hard and they just couldn't hit it," Malcolm said. "As the game went on, there were a lot of ground balls in the infield and my infielders played really well."

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Malcolm said he really wanted to beat Santa Monica East, a team that beat West L.A. last year. The mood was pretty tense but hopeful in the dugout.

"As the game continued, I would go into the dugout and no one would say anything to me," Malcolm said. "Soon enough, I realized that I was pitching a perfect game."

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In the sixth and final inning, the first two batters grounded out. As the last hitter took two strikes at the plate, spectators from both teams began cheering for Malcolm.

"I was just thinking and praying, 'I need to get that last out,'" Malcolm said.

When the West L.A. catcher dropped the third pitch, the batter ran but was thrown out at first base. Malcolm got his perfect game.

"I was on the mound and my first baseman started running toward me with the ball, and then my catcher ran, and then everyone ran to me," Malcolm said. "We dogpiled."

In addition to Malcolm's perfect game, Andrew Coles hit a two-run home run and Benji Taylor also hit a home run. West L.A. won 6-0 and they will play in the championship this Saturday. Malcolm will be pitching again.

And the reaction from the Santa Monica East team?

"Some of their players were not as happy as their parents, but they were very respectful," Malcolm said. "Parents of the Santa Monica players congratulated me."

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