In the fall of 1989 Coach Myron Schroeder set out to finding enough 15 and under talented pieces to participate in the 1990 USSSA Youth World Tournament. Over the next five month period, 12 pieces of talent were accumulated from 6 different central Illinois high school baseball programs. It was his intent to put together a team that just might win a game at the tournament. In his wildest dreams did he realize that he was constructing one of the finest boy's youth softball teams ever to play the game?

With a willing sponsor in Jim Fox of Fox's Sports, the team had a uniform sponsor and a team name, but little else to support what was on the horizon for these 12 untested softball players. As these dozen players arrived at the world tournament's opening ceremonies, one had his leg in a cast and two others were wrapped in bandages and tape, while the entire team noticed that they were the smallest team in stature compared to the other 25 other competing teams.

Even though outsized, it did not seem to detour the team's spirit and desire to do their best. Their goal of winning a game remained intact, as they took the field for their first world tournament test, despite hampering injuries to key personnel. Their wish of winning a game was soon answered, as they captured a 15-3 win over the Milwaukee Scrubs. Three hours later, they rolled to their second win of the day, with an impressive 13-5 decision over Sheboygan. Even though they had won by wide margins, no one gave them much of a chance in their final first day contest against the #2 ranked Eastlake, Ohio squad.

As everyone continued to literally overlook the little team from Illinois, it only took three innings and a quick 9-0 lead against the highly regarded Ohio team to begin to turn heads in their direction. At the game's conclusion with a 9-3 Fox's victory, it was evident that there was now a Fox running along side the tournament's big dogs.

Even though part of the team continued to limp, a couple others got a little dinged up in the opening day fray. This however did not effect how the team played on day two, as they continued three quests through the field of giants with two more impressive wins.

On Saturday evening, a Fox's team that everyone expected to be heading back home following Saturday's play were forced to find evening shelter at Milwaukee's famous "Roach Motel." Their stay at this quarter star lodging facility seemed to toughen the team even more, as the majority of the team spent their time pushing their cast laden teammate up and down Milwaukee Avenue in a grocery cart borrowed from a nearby K-Mart. It was evident that the team's focus remained on having fun together, as the pressures of competition seemed non-existent.

Championship Sunday began with a thunderstorm, which pushed back tournament play four hours, but when play did resume, the Fox's responded in the tournament's winner's bracket final with a very impressive 19-3 victory over a long ball hitting Minnesota squad.  This victory set up a championship match against the favored #1 ranked Sylvester, Georgia Flyers, who had won the last 6 world titles.

By design, knowing that the Flyers would have to defeat the Fox's twice to take the title, Coach Schroeder pulled in his outfield after getting behind early in the contest. This allowed the Flyers to hit the long ball at will and run the bases like it was a track meet. Following their 22-6  (five inning) victory, the Flyers celebrated, while the Fox's strategy of losing the battle, but win the war was only beginning to take shape.

At a quiet team gathering, the Fox's were informed that they had one more chapter to write in their unfinished book. This seemed to provide a new motivation, as they jumped on the Flyers early and after, running out to an 8 to 1 lead after 3 complete innings. The Georgia squad however, was not ready to throw in the towel, as they came back to within one run after 6 complete. With the Fox's hanging by a thread, the top of the 7th inning seen the Flyers manufacture 3 runs to take a 14-12 lead.

The Fox's came to bat, knowing that their dream of becoming world champions rested upon somehow plating at least 2 runs. It appeared that the Fox's were not done, as Rob Teno led off the last frame with a triple, but a ground out and a caught infield line drive, created a chorus of Georgia faithful to begin singing "Hey, Hey Good Bye." Their singing however was quickly muffled, as an RBI double by Matt Stiger and a tying run single by Matt Gregory sent the game into extra innings.

In the top of the 8th inning, the Flyers threatened, but due to a tremendous throw from left center fielder Dusty Johnson, cutting down their potential leading run attempting to advance to third base. As the team arrived at the dug-out, they realized that they were on the verge of something special, as composure was not their strong suit.

When the inning's lead off batter, Chris Kirby, reached on a base hit over the Flyer shortstop, the team began to believe it was their moment, as Roger Freeze quickly rapped a double, moving Kirby to third base. With the winning run only 60 feet away, Jesse Huisinga delivered a game winning sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Kirby with Illinois' first youth world title.

At that moment, all the doubters realized that they had forgotten to measure this small team's heart, as they celebrated and unexpected championship.

To this day, Coach Schroeder says it perhaps was his most rewarding softball win, as he emphasizes that the Fox's team was the most coachable team he has ever been around. "They are truly a special group that won a world title together."