NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Hundreds flocked to Chandler Fields Wednesday night to welcome a group of 12-year-old Little League All Stars who captured their hearts and made local baseball history.
Their bus was escorted into town by the Newtown Fire Department and pulled into the parking lot of their home stadium on Sycamore Street, where young and old were waiting to celebrate the team’s return from its appearance at the Little League World Series in Williamsport.
Even though these young baseball players did not win the World Series trophy, they went home as big winners in the eyes of the Newtown community that supported them every step of the way.
As the stunned ballplayers exited the Susquehanna Trailways bus, not expecting such a large crowd, colorful paper confetti rained down from above as television cameras and reporters captured the special moment.
“Coming around the corner and walking into Chandler Field and seeing everyone here supporting us was just incredible,” coach Brad Hamilton said. “I’m really thankful for all the support we’ve received. You may not know it, but we felt it in Williamsport and it really, really, really lifted us up.”
Pitcher Tyler Neeld talks to a television reporter. (Photo by Jeff Werner)
Signing autographs. (Photo by Jeff Werner)
First, the team went to their home field, where they ran the bases like professionals before gathering with their coaches on the snack bar terrace to thank their home fans for their support.
En route to Williamsport, the team captured the district tournament title, the Pennsylvania state championship and the Mid-Atlantic Region championship, securing their ticket to the big game in Williamsport, where their on-field performances were broadcast worldwide on ESPN and ABC.
“We want to thank each and every one of you, from the players to the coaches and most importantly the parents and families, for the excitement and joy you have brought to our community over the past two months,” said Brett D’Andrea, Council Rock Newtown Athletic Association board member and coach. “You have truly made this summer one we will never forget.”
Sol Feinstone is proud. (Photo by Jeff Werner)
Coach Brad Hamilton. (Photo by Jeff Werner)
“Newtown baseball has always had a great reputation, but it was this group of guys here that literally put us on the map in the Little League World Series, making us one of the top six Little League teams in the U.S. and one of the top 12 Little League teams in the world,” D’Andrea said.
In Williamsport, the team lost its first game 9-0 to Southwest, but rebounded to defeat its next two opponents – New England and Northwest – before being knocked out of the game by Hawaii’s strong pitching on Tuesday afternoon.
“What an incredible accomplishment to not only reach the Little League World Series, but to show the entire nation that you deserve to be there,” D’Andrea said. “To fight back after a tough opening game against Texas, to show incredible resilience and win the next two games against New England and Washington, and to fight to the end against evenly matched opponents in Hawaii. But that’s baseball and competitive sports in general. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. It’s rare, if ever, to win them all, and unfortunately all good things must come to an end. But in the spirit of Nelson Mandela’s great quote, ‘You never lose. You either win or you learn.’
“And I believe you have all gained something in the last few months that will stay with you for the rest of your lives,” D’Andrea said.
D’Andrea then addressed the team’s coaches and praised them for an incredible season.
“It starts and ends with you guys,” he said of coaches Brad Hamilton, Kyle Neeld and Doug Peiffer. “You establish the culture. You create a positive learning environment. You have been there for these guys, through all the ups and downs. Your dedication to not only this team but to the organization as a whole is commendable. You are the captains of the ship and win or lose, you have supported these guys every step of the way. You have made our entire organization so proud and we are forever grateful for all the blood, sweat and tears you have put into Council Rock Newtown baseball.”
D’Andrea also paid tribute to the parents, who he described as “the tidal wave behind Council Rock Newtown baseball” over the past few months. “Their support and dedication to each and every one of these guys is admired and respected by everyone here in the organization. We have some of the best parents and families here at our club.”
Council Rock Newtown Little League 12U All-Stars
Brayden Peiffer
Brody Gage
Dean Hamilton
Gavin Caudill
Greyson Gage
Nick Schiller
Rocco DaBronzo
Ryan Uhl
Saverio Longo
Tyler Neeld
Tyler Wexler
Wes Esteves
Will Siveter
manager: Brad Hamilton
trainer: Doug Peiffer and Kyle Neeld
The Mid-Atlantic Team ((Council Rock Newtown Little League U2 All-Stars).
