ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Mid-Atlantic Region Champions from Newtown, Pennsylvania., participate in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Little League World Series on Wednesday.
As 10-year-olds, the Council Rock Newtown Little League all-stars finished third at the Pennsylvania state tournament. A year later at the 11-year-old age division, they moved up, taking second place.
There was only one spot left to go as 12-year-olds. Newtown kept climbing that ladder and reached the top, capturing that state championship late last month. But a team which has made hard work and progress its calling cards did not stop there.
They kept climbing and now are the Mid-Atlantic’s best Little League team. Newtown followed up that state title, but romping to the Mid-Atlantic crown, landing at a Little Leaguer’s dream destination, the Little League World Series. Newtown entered the Series undefeated and played its first game Thursday night against Texas.
“It’s a life lesson for these boys, myself and our coaches. We talked about that after winning states,” Newtown manager Brad Hamilton said. “Outside of baseball, we’re trying to shape young men and minds. One of those life lessons is if you keep pushing and keep working good things can happen and this is a huge experience for them.”
No Little League team in the country reached the Series with more wins than Newtown which reached South Williamsport at 18-0. As the last two years and this season showed, Pennsylvania is one of the most challenging states to conquer but a team which came so close the past two seasons would not be denied this time.
As good as it was the past two seasons, Newtown wanted to be better. So, the work continued and so did the development. Each player improved and Newtown climbed that ladder step by step as one, each player doing something big to help along the way.
Standing on top, the view looks mighty good these days.
“They’re doing it as a good team and they are very focused. When they came together as all-stars they wanted to keep getting further,” Hamilton said. “You watch these players progress and seeing them develop is one of my favorite memories. That is the joy of coaching, seeing them work hard and be successful and get the results they want.”
“People say there is such a small chance to make it to the Little League World Series and it’s so hard and it is, but you have to keep pushing forward and they did that and they made it,” Council Rock Newtown Little League president Andrew Palsky said. “I never imagined we’d get to the World Series, let alone at 18-0. We’ve had some good runs in the past, but 18 wins in a row is amazing. I don’t care who you’re playing, when you’re 12-years-old, there’s bound to be a slip up and I’m amazed that these boys continue to grind out wins and find way to make it happen.”
This group enjoyed great success the past two seasons as its state tournament runs show. As much as those teams wanted those championships, they also understood that the 12U season was the most important. So, they learned, worked and bulldozed their way through challenging district and section opponents to earn their coveted opportunity last month.
There, Newtown put it all together and outscored four opponents, 31-12. The Mid-Atlantic champions won two games via blowout, but also excelled under pressure, defeating Back Mountain, 3-2 for that elusive championship. The state mountain climbed, Newtown traveled to the next one and continued the climb, mowing through three opponents, defeating Washington, D.C. 5-1 in for the regional title.
Now, in a league stepped in tradition, Newtown stands alongside the 2005 Series qualifier as the best in league history.
“We had a team zoom meeting with that (2005) group and they were awesome. They celebrated with the boys, and gave us some tips about being focused and having fun,” Hamilton said. “That was great that they did that and our kids are excited just knowing that these two are the only groups in Newtown to do it since 1953 and that’s just awesome. That’s what those (2005) guys were saying, too. They’re older now but all are still on the phone talking about the games and experiences. That’s what I hope these boys are able to create.”
Even before the state championship climb started two years ago, these players have been making memories together. Most started playing together when they were 6. That has created a fabulous chemistry with these players not just being friends on and off the field, but also ones who believe in each other.
This team plays not as individuals but as a collective unit. They push each other, encourage each other and elevate each other. The team is hitting a collective .442, features a 1.26 ERA and has played super defense all summer. Together they have made their final Little League climb their most memorable one while becoming the talk of their town.
“The chemistry is always there and I think that’s one of the cool things about this team,” Palsky said. “They have a strong community behind them. The Green Parrot (restaurant) was filled for the championship game along with a lot of the other local establishments watching the games. There is a really strong following for the team. They are like little celebrities and that’s great to see them get to experience that.”
It’s an experience Newtown has prepared and fought for. Players did not let state tournament defeats keep them down the last two years. Like fictional Rocky Balboa from nearby Philadelphia, they came back swinging harder each time.
Nothing came easy and nothing ever does in sports. Glory comes with a price and this team paid it through work, sweat and sacrifice. Given one last Little League chance, Newtown combined all its talent with all its valuable intangibles and embarked on the journey of its life.
How that journey ends is yet unknown. But Newtown sure has scaled some impressive heights.
“We have a lot of younger players in our league and they all want to know what bat does Tyler (Neeld) use? They want to know what equipment their favorite players are using,” Palsky said. “They’re all looking up to these kids like they are Major Leaguers. It’s really fun to see.”