As we anticipate the championship game of the 2010 Big League World Series, we are hearing whispers from critics who question the efforts of this year’s host team.

S.C. District One lost three consecutive games before redeeming itself Sunday with a victory over the U.S. East team from New Jersey. The 1-3 mark is the poorest win total for the host team during its 10-year association with the Big League World Series, and this marks the third consecutive year that the host team has failed to reach the semi-finals.

A few people are wondering if there is some reason that our host team — which once won three consecutive BLWS titles, and three titles in four years — can no longer compete?

The answer, of course, is that the host team certainly can and does compete.

The Big League World Series is a high-quality competition. With the exception of the host team and an alternating team from Mexico or Puerto Rico, each team has to win at least one tournament to reach the BLWS. Many times a team has to win its district title, then its state title, and then a regional title before it can earn an invitation to the Big League World Series.

So therefore, the 11 teams that compete in the Big League World Series are winners before they step foot in Easley. A tournament is played, and a world champion is crowned, but that does not take away from the accomplishments of each individual team.

The host team has the advantage of an automatic bid to the BLWS and being familiar with the local atmosphere, but they have the disadvantage of not having the opportunity to participate in qualifying tournaments that can help build unity in a team. We ask the 15 young men on the team in a week’s time to develop the type of team chemistry that many Major League baseball teams still have not developed well over 100 games into the season.

This year’s results only look poor in comparison to the accomplishments of past host teams. Shouldn’t that make us appreciate those accomplishments that much more?

Baseball is a complex game. Certainly, talent plays a role in determining which team will win, but there are so many other intangibles that come into play. A player can hit a double and remain stranded on second base for the remainder of an inning. But in another situation, a well-placed bunt may drive in the winning run for a team.

While winning is important to the players, fans of the Big League World Series should simply enjoy the competition, and the comradary that comes when people join together to share their love for the sport of baseball.