Belmont Athletics' Connection to Little League World Series

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont Athletics has a connection to the Midstate's Little League World Series participant, the Goodlettsville All-Stars.

Joey Seals, the father of Jonathan Seals, a first baseman/catcher on the Goodlettsville team, played baseball for the Bruins from 1986-89. Joey saw action as a catcher in 111 games for the Bruins and recorded a .313 batting average and 76 RBI. Following his career with Belmont, Joey was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In addition, Crystal Nelson Smith, the mother of Justin Smith, a third baseman/pitcher for the team, played softball for Belmont from 1992-1994.  Crystal earned second team NAIA All-Maerican honors in 1993 and currently ranks in the top-10 in school history in nine different offensive categories.

Jonathan, Justin and his Goodlettsville teammates became the first team from Middle Tennessee to advance to the Little League World Series in 42 years. They advanced to the event in Williamsport, Pa. after defeating Georgia 1-0 in the Southeast Regional Championship. Goodlettsville is just one of 16 Little League teams to qualify for the World Series.

Goodlettsville will take the field tonight against Kearney, Neb., the Midwest representative in an opening round game at 7 p.m. CT. The game will be shown nationally on ESPN and ESPN3.com.