RAPID CITY - For the players and coaches of the Canyon Lake Little League baseball team it is a once in a lifetime event preparing for the trip to Williamsport, Pa., to play in the Little League World Series.

"We've watched a couple other teams play who are going to be at the World Series on TV," said Canyon Lake left-fielder Mathew Wilson. "They look pretty strong all around, but it looks like we can compete with them."

The Canyon Lake All-Stars, a team made up of 11-, 12- and 13-year-olds, will fly out of Indianapolis, Ind., today at noon for Newark, N.J., and from there will be bused to Williamsport, which is about a two and half hour drive.

"It is going to be a relief to get out of Indianapolis and get to Williamsport," said third baseman and pitcher Bill Hendricks. "We are ready play more baseball. We're really excited to get to play in the World Series."

The team was unable to get a flight back to Rapid City, after winning the Midwest Region, in time to return to Williamsport today. So the Little Leaguers and coaches were forced to stay in Indianapolis for the remainder of the week. The team has been preparing and practicing there since winning the regional.

"The campus where we're staying is virtually vacant, and so we've had some time to think, and take in what they've accomplished" Canyon Lake assistant coach Steve Nolan said. "We would have loved to come back to Rapid City and met with families and raised some money, but what's happened is Little League International can't get us out of Indianapolis. So we're killing time, we're trying to tell the kids that there is a lot of excitement in Rapid City and across the state of South Dakota for what they've accomplished."

Despite having to fill some down time, the team has made the most of its remaining time by sightseeing, practicing light and relaxing.

"The people here at the Midwest Regional have been really gracious by letting us use their facility," assistant coach Jeff Minnick said. "It is the same field we played our games on during the regional. We're working on our fielding and our conditioning. We kept it low intensity for a couple days and had a good time."

Canyon Lake head coach Doug Simons said the boys enjoyed a few days rest, but are now ready to get to Williamsport and start the Little League World Series.

The team plays the first game of the World Series at noon, MDT against the Southeast Region champion in Florida. The game will be played in Volunteer Stadium - one of two fields used for games during the tournament - which is the same field where the consolation game will be played Aug. 24.

"They know they're one of eight teams left playing baseball at this level in the country," said Simons, "They've gone above and beyond in what they've accomplished. Now it is on to the next step."

The families of the Little Leaguers are spread across the country right now with some still in Indianapolis. Others are in states around Indiana like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois. Some parents made the trip back to Rapid City to work for a few days before flying to Williamsport.

If you would like to help Canyon Lake Little League on its trip to the Little League World Series, donations are being accepted at P.O. Box 9072, Rapid City, South Dakota, 57709.