Close-knit outfielders enjoying Taney's run

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Tai Shanahan and Eli Simon sat in a golf cart on Tuesday afternoon, waiting out the remainder of Taney's batting practice at the Little League World Series.

The teammates, West Philadelphia friends since preschool, talked about how fast the cart would zoom if the team's host had not removed the keys. They split plastic cups in half and wore them as hats. They disputed what would happen if one pushed the brake and gas pedals at the same time.

"Hey, Josh," Simon shouted to the team's host. "Does this thing have brake pads?"

The two friends - both inquisitive by their parent's accounts - are living the Little League dream this week. They share a bunk bed in the team's dorm and practice together because both are outfielders. Simon enjoys writing and Shanahan is known for his ability to retain information, even of the most trivial kind.

Simon was one of the first Taney players to grab Shanahan after his winning hit on Sunday, which sent the Center City-based team to Wednesday's third-round game at Lamade Stadium against Mountain Ridge Little League of Las Vegas.

"We play baseball together a lot," said Shanahan, who attends St. Francis de Sales School. "But this is a different experience."

Simon, who attends Penn Alexander School, created a buzz on social media during Sunday's game when he said on the telecast that John Mayberry Jr. was his favorite player. The Phillies outfielder said he appreciated the mention. Mayberry is actually the favorite player of Simon's older brother Benjamin.

"I don't really have a favorite player," Simon said. "I've always liked how he's kind of the underdog. He'll come up, pinch-hit and hit a homer. Everyone doubted him. And it was different; everyone else is saying big players like Mike Trout."

Mo'ne Davis received a phone call this week from Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma. Davis had said she wants to play for the Huskies. She will be Taney's starting pitcher on Wednesday night.

"He told me he was watching the game, I need to get more hits, and I need to keep up the good work," Davis said.

And how did Taney's star pitcher respond?

"I said, 'Thank you, thank you, thank you.' "