Etc.

Baseball rarity: players who hit youth and adult heights

For young boys who play baseball, making it to the major leagues is often a dream. Imagine, therefore, how exciting it must be to play in both the Little League World Series and the big-league World Series. Only nine players have ever achieved this rare "double," a goal certainly of many of about 250 in the 62nd annual Little League World Series, which culminates Aug. 24 with a nationally televised championship game on ABC from Williamsport, Pa. The nine players who've participated in both the Little League and major-league World Series, the year(s) they made it to Williamsport, and the city each represented:

• Jim Barbieri, Schenectady, N.Y.* 1954

• Boog Powell, Lakeland, Fla. 1954

• Rick Wise, Portland, Ore. 1958

• Carney Lansford, Santa Clara, Calif. 1969

• Ed Vosberg, Tucson, Ariz. 1973

• Charlie Hayes, Hattiesburg, Miss. 1977

• Gary Sheffield, Tampa, Fla. 1980

• Derek Bell, Tampa, Fla. 1980-81

• Jason Varitek, Altamonte Springs, Fla. 1984

* - Little League championship team