A year after taking Little League World Series by storm, Gavin Weir's dominance on the diamond continues
Alfonzo Galvan
It's been nearly a year since a shy and reserved boy from South Dakota became the talk of the town, state and country for his efforts during the Little League World Series.
Gavin Weir, now 13, was the last player admitted into the Sioux Falls All-Stars team that became the South Dakota representative for the Little League World Series regional tournament and eventually the big tournament in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in the summer of 2021.
"He was kind of the, you know, the outlier. He wasn't with us when we were 10. He wasn't with us when we were 11," said Mike Gorsett, team manager, before the Little League World Series in 2021.
Weir made headlines during the regional tournament while on the mound. He went on a hot streak, striking out 30 players in two games in the Midwest Regionals and throwing a perfect game and a no-hitter.
The South Dakota team then went to Williamsport, where Weir continued shining. He combined with another pitcher, Cason Mediger, to throw a no-hitter against Louisiana and then threw a complete-game no-hitter against California. Between the two games, Weir threw 29 strikeouts. His three-run homer against Oregon made fans compare him to Shohei Ohtani.
More:5 things to know about Gavin Weir, South Dakota's star pitcher in the Little League World Series
Since then, it's been much of the same, except the TV cameras haven't been broadcasting it to a national audience.
He's still playing baseball with players 1-3 years older than him. He's still striking them out and pitching no-hitters. He's still improving on all his trademark pitches and even adding a new one to his arsenal.
And above all, Weir remains grounded.
What's Gavin Weir been up to?
A year later from his Little League heroics, Weir is still going strong playing baseball under his father Ronnie Weir's tutelage. The standout pitcher out of Harrisburg even has some short-term and long-term goals he's working toward.
"My goal is playing in the MLB. And I think by the next year, I want to be able to pitch 90 miles an hour," Gavin Weir said.
In the last year, Gavin Weir has played travel ball with his dad's 5 Tool Sports teams, playing for a the U-13 squad and the U15 and U16 teams where he's continued being a presence on the mound.
"He had 36 innings pitched in U13 this year, and he had 100 strikeouts, which is insane," Ronnie Weir said.
Gavin even threw a no-hitter and was one walk short of a perfect game against a U15 team this summer, according to his dad.
The game seems to look easy when viewed through the lens that is Gavin Weir. Although his dad constantly reminds him there are no shortcuts on the journey they've chosen.
Even with all the talent Gavin Weir possesses, his dad still makes him try out for their U13 and U14 teams.
More:South Dakota pitcher Gavin Weir featured on 'CBS This Morning' segment
A wild summer: 'We really lived and enjoyed it'
The summer of 2022 has brought with it memories from a year prior for Gavin Weir and his family.
A year ago he was dubbed the "best pitcher in the country" before even stepping onto the mound for his first LLWS game.
Afterwards the legend grew of the boy who told ESPN he drank root beer every night to stay on top of his pitching game.
He was compared to Ohtani, and fans stitched a video of his pitching motion next to Chris Sale to show how good Weir's technique was, even comparable to the pros.
Nowadays Weir thinks fondly of his time at Williamsport along with the rest of the South Dakota team.
"We really lived and enjoyed it, soaked it all in and we had a blast and we didn't think, that's why we got to where we were," Weir said of his team's success at the LLWS.
Ronnie Weir said his son still gets recognized even out of state. Those who followed the LLWS in 2021 weren't too quick to forget him.
"We went to the College World Series and people recognized us there and and he was able to give some kids some autographs and pictures and stuff," Ronnie Weir said.
More:'Best pitcher in the country': South Dakota goes into LLWS with dominant southpaw
Taking small steps for the ultimate goal of the big leagues
There's still hype around the young teen anytime he's asked to perform. "Overrated" chats spring up when he gets to pitch. Those coming from teammates and friends looking to have fun with the 13-year-old.
Gavin Weir just keeps smiling.
At 12-years-old, he gave the world the first sign of his brilliance.
At 13-years-old, he has the calm and composure of a veteran and the mindset to boot.
And eventually he wants to be back under the limelight.
He wants to play Division-I baseball for a school down south. Then he wants the pros.
But for now, he's content with the work that's been done.
"I just think my year has been going good and keeps getting better as I go," he said.
Got a story idea from your community? Email reporter Alfonzo Galvan at agalvan@argusleader.com or follow him on Twitter @GalvanReports.