The 2022 Little League World Series has been full of heartwarming moments. But few stick out in the memory as much Josiah Porter's drive to deep center on Aug. 25.
With Tennessee down 1-0 in the bottom of the first, Porter stepped to the plate with the bases juiced. He proceeded to pounce on a pitch in the zone and send it over the center field bleachers, giving his team a 4-1 edge in the blink of an eye.
That lead would stick. Porter's blast was the difference as Tennessee booked its spot into the Little League World Series U.S. championship final.
Porter's dinger made waves for more reasons than one. Because, you see, Porter is blind in right eye.
Josiah Porter grand slams gets the people going 💥 #LLWS pic.twitter.com/bZcNcaAbse
— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 26, 2022
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With Porter and his Tennessee teammates set to duke it out with Hawaii for a spot in the LLWS final, here's everything you need to know about the inspiring youngster who has captured the hearts and minds of fans across the country.
Who is Josiah Porter?
Porter is a starting outfielder on Tennessee's LLWS squad. The 5'3", 112-pound kid has been Tennessee's standout player throughout the tournament, heading into the U.S. championship final with a .400 batting average and six RBIs, the fourth-best total among participants this season.
Porter was declared legally blind in his right eye when he was six years old. He had to undergo five surgeries in one year after accidentally walking into the sharp corner of a toolbox hanging off a pickup truck.
Despite his partial blindness, Porter has kept up with his athletic journey. He was a rangy shortstop prior to the accident, even singlehandedly turning a triple play when he was younger.
Porter has added some extra layers to his game as he's grown up, impressing as a relief pitcher during Tennessee's run to the Southeast regional title (he even threw an immaculate inning) while also learning how to play in the outfield.
It hasn't been easy, Porter admitted. But he's adjusted to the the new position admirably, failing to commit and error in the outfield so far.
“You have to focus on everything you do whether you’re in the infield or the outfield, but the outfield is just a little bit harder to focus on the ball and track it,” Porter said in a LLWS profile published on their website earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Porter's calling card — his ability with the bat — has remained intact. And he's been Tennessee's star batter throughout the tournament, best exemplified by that epic moonshot that sent his team to the U.S. championship final.
“Josiah can hit. He can really hit. He can hit a 70 mile per hour fastball. Most people with two eyes can’t hit a 70 mile per hour fastball and this kid can,” manager Randy Huth said. “He’s a very special kid and he’s one of my heroes.”
