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Peewee Rebels look to become team of destiny u‘ll have to excuse Y the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 530 Waterloo Peewee Rebels for thinking that they might be a team of lestiny after the week that they‘ve just had. Aft?' alÂ¥ they‘re the first Waterloo Minor Softball team to qualify for the Eastern Canadian champiâ€" onships in Trurao, N.S., this Augus{fi'l the more than 25 years that the local minor sports association has been around. And they lived up to that moniker of being cardiac kids at a provincial qualifier for that tournament, played in Oshawa last week, trailing early in every game they played before storming back to earn one of the two berths available for the upcoming championships. Head coach Andy Schilitt admitted that his team‘s goals were modest going into the Canada Day long weekend tournament, with everyone assuming favourites Willowdale and Scarborough would earn the "Qur mindset going down there was to give ourâ€" selves a shot to be playing on Sunday mormning," said Schilitt. "But we had a feeling that something good was going on when against Napanee, in our second game, we came back to win 8â€"5." That became a pattern for the rest of the tournaâ€" ment as the Rebels fell behind early before stormâ€" ing back late to win the That winning formula worked for the Waterloo club right up to the semifiâ€" nal game when they were taking on the favoured Willowdale team. "The confidence in the kids just started building from there," said Schilitt. "An attitude of, ‘Hey we can do this thing,‘ took over. "We i{:st wouldn‘t given into anybody for the rest of the weekend. â€" In the semifinals, the Rebels were down early to Willowdale 3â€"1 before merâ€" cying them 13â€"3 to earn the Eastern Canadian Championship berth. "It was the same script as the first four games," said Schlitt. "We got down early and came back. "We just started putting the ball in play, they started making errors, and we took advantage of those errors." Those were errors that the Rebels, a team built on the fundamentals of pitchâ€" ing and defence, didn‘t _ "Things started falling our way and we took advanâ€" tage of it," said Schlitt. Parents and players were Bos VRBANAC Chronicle Staff so overjoyed by the surprise win that they had a bit of a let down in the champiâ€" onship _ final _ against Scarborough. But that came after the realization of what they had done settled in. But the qualification was just the start of a lot of hard work ahead for the team of 13 and 14â€"yearâ€"old boys and their families. "The focus was just to get there, and once we knew we were there, our focus drifted a bit," said Schlitt. In addition to upcoming league and provincial finals, the team also has to do some major fundraising to get to the eastâ€"coast chamâ€" pionships at the end of the summer. Schilitt said the cost of transportation and lodging for the tournament could be more than $20,000, and the team is looking to do some special fundraisers to make up that funding. "We‘re the first Waterloo fastball team to make it out of the province," said Schlitt. "It‘s going to be a busy month of July, but the rewards at the end of August will make it all worthwhile. "They‘re a bunch of hardâ€"working kids. I‘m sure that every coach will say their team deserves a chance like this, and you can just put me on that list." If you‘d like to help the Royal Canadian Legion Branch _ 530 _ Waterloo Peewee Rebels _ with fundraising or sponsorship, call coach Andy Schlitt at 888â€"0160, or team manager Linda Griffin at 884â€"1958. _ Financially speaking, it‘s better m e i e e e is Tike mommiie" Abi Ceremirs Wepaiis ip > AMW@"SYWW“ rocket. VIP.D> VIP Travel is pleased to announce that we are now the Waterloo representative for American Express Travel Services. This new affiliation will bring to all of our clients, both leisure and corporate, all of the benefits that are provided by this worldâ€"class organization. s VIP Travel will continue to operate with the same management, staff, policies and high level of personalized service that we have always provided. In addiâ€" tion, the full range of American Express products and services will be available to our clients, such as traveller‘s cheques, card member applications and credâ€" it card payments. We look forward to serving both current American Express clients as well as our valued VIP Travel clientele for all of their travel needs under our new banner. Independently owned and operated by VIP Travel Group Ltd. 175 Columbia St. West, Suite #101 Waterloo, Ontario N2ZL 575 i Hours: Mon.â€"Fri. 8:30 am â€" 5:30 pm Phone: 519.747.1282 Email: mailbox@viptravelgroup.com â€" Website: www.viptravelgroup.com New American Express Office in Waterloo ANNOUNCING ...