Thursday, August 1, 2013 10:21 PM EDT
BRISTOL ? Thursday was moving day for those involved in this year?s Little League Baseball Eastern Regional.
Whether it was a 331-mile trip or a 51-mile trip, 12 teams from 12 states converged on the Giamatti Little League complex on Mix Street. Berlin Little League of Berlin, Md., had the longest trip at 331 miles. Capitol City Little League of the District of Columbia was just a mile off of Berlin for the longest trip (330 miles).
Newark National Little League of Newark, Del., traveled 232 miles and was the first team to arrive. Newark arrived at about 10:45 a.m. and was followed in by Lionville Little League of Lionville, Penn. (221 miles). Each of the teams arrived at the front of the complex, got some sandwiches, chips and drinks, then checked into their dorms before a very busy day of team photos and meetings began.
Westport Little League of Westport, Conn., had the shortest ride ? 51 miles ? to get to Bristol.
?It was great,? Westport manager Tim Rogers said. ?We probably had the easiest ride of anybody.?
Westport is also familiar with the area, given that it just won the state championship by beating Coginchaug (Durham) at Verderame Field in Southington (Southington South Little League).
This is the first Westport Little League team to make the regional, so the town has put its support behind its team.
?It?s great,? Rogers said. ?It really is. The league?s behind us, the town?s behind us.?
A difficult loss in the 10-11 district final to Fairfield National served as motivation for this year.
?I look back on that now and I think that?s something that has helped us,? Rogers said.
The trip to Bristol is also a historic one for the East Greenwich Little League of Clarksboro, N.J. East Greenwich traveled 205 miles, but the trip was well worth it.
?This is the first time in over 50 years that a team from District 15 won states,? East Greenwich manager Jim Szestowicki said.
East Greenwich is also the first South Jersey team to win the state in over 20 years, according to Szestowicki.
?We worked hard,? Szestowicki said. ?The kids play a lot of baseball outside of Little League.?
This is also the first Eastern Regional for Berlin Little League, along with the Lionville Little League; the Newton South East Little League of Newton, Mass.; and the Burnt Hills Ballston Lake Little League of Burnt Hills, N.Y.
For those who work at the complex, the day began at 8 a.m., according to Assistant Eastern Region Director Corey Wright. It takes a small paid staff of six people and 250 volunteers to make sure that everything runs smoothly. Some volunteers even take a week?s vacation just so they?re free to help out.
?They?re all local,? Wright said.
Each team had a chaperone(s) ? aunts or uncles ? that led them to their dorms. The chaperones also led the teams around the complex to the meetings and photo sessions that took place. There were meetings for managers, players and umpires throughout the day. Wright also spoke to the players about being a part of the Eastern Regional.
?I talk to them about how special it is to get here,? Wright said.
Players are expected to be on their best behavior, but they are well taken care of with catered meals, lodging and an indoor swimming pool.
?The baseball will take care of itself,? Wright said. ?The comfort level and safety of the kids is what matters most.?
The Donald R. Soucy Hometown Heroes Monument was officially dedicated on Thursday night, but rain put a damper on the fireworks display that was planned. The fireworks will now be held after the Connecticut-Vermont game, which is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. The Opening Ceremonies are slated for 7:35 p.m.
The baseball begins at 11 a.m. when the District of Columbia plays Delaware.
Kevin D. Roberts can be reached at (860) 584-0501, ext. 7229 or kroberts@bristolpress.com
On Twitter: @kroberts023
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Source: http://www.bristolpress.com/articles/2013/08/02/sports/doc51fb152f0983c796624023.txt
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