12U Blue supplied World Series excitement

The12U Springfield Blue World Series team at Emerald Beach.Teammates are Brett Sheeran, Matt Methlie, Charlie Carbin, Earl Kelly, Andrew Astrino, Jimmy Murray, Matt Cella, Matt Conran, Brian McCloskey, Mitch Masi, Nick O'Shea, Ben Thorpe and Seamus McCaffrey. The coaches are Joe Johnson, Jr., Mike Masi, Dan Crowe, and Tom LeVasseur.

When our 13 boys (Springfield 12U Blue) are asked what they did this summer, they have a great answer: “We went to the World Series.” In order to qualify, they had to win the state and regional titles. Then, everything had to turn around in 10 days, so that they could get to Wilson County, N.C. for the opening ceremonies on Aug. 12. The boys were first sent by limo to the airport and then flown to Raleigh. By chance, Darren Daulton (former 1993 World Series Phillies’ catcher and now commentator) was at the airport and stopped for a picture with the team.This was the first plane ride for a couple of the boys. After they landed, they were picked up by a luxury bus at the airport and taken to a local eatery to kill some time, waiting for the Connecticut (NE Region champs) team who was flying in and needed to share a ride to the hotel, which was an hour away. During the stay, the weather was hot and steamy and there were a lot of gnats.

The team was warned about both. They put fans in the dugouts and on the fields to help. The field was called "The Hole" because it sits down below the stands and behind Rockridge Elementary School. Southern hospitality was evident at the ball fields; two hostesses/cheerleaders and two batboys were provided (Brianna, Alexis, Braxton and Cameron). A “Banquet of Champions” dinner was provided, and all the teams from across the country were honored. A former Phillies player, Scott McGregor, gave a speech. They referred to the team as the Mid-Atlantic Region champs, representing the states of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and New York. Teams representing their respective regions were California, Idaho, Wilson County, N.C., North Dakota, Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut, New Bern and North Carolina, plus a team from Nassau, Bahamas. Springfield made it out of pool play and advanced to the quarterfinals. That gave the squad a day off, and a lot of the boys went to Emerald Isle Beach to escape some of the heat.

The quarterfinal game was played on Aug. 17 under the lights versus Idaho. It was not decided until 10:45 p.m. when the score reached 16 to 14. Our boys battled but this was to be Blue’s last game of a spectacular season. Wow -- playing baseball until Aug. 17. What a way to end a four-year career for Coach Joe Johnson, Jr. and the boys from our small town in Springfield. They all worked hard at this starting back in March. The boys wanted it and Coach Joe made the kids believe they could get to the World Series. Many honors are still coming their way. The team is invited to Citizens Bank Park Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. to be honored. A visit to the House of Representatives in Harrisburg is in the works with Rep. Bill Adolph, and Springfield Township will honor our boys. In addition, two of the boys were given honors based on their performance in the World Series; Mitch Masi was named to the All-Defensive Team, and Charlie Carbin was named to the All Pitching Team. The boys want to thank the many family members (including a lot of grandparents) and friends who came from Springfield and beyond to be with them and to cheer them on; it was like having home field advantage. In addition, the games were available on the Internet and many of you watched and supported the team from afar. You were with the boys all year, and they will never forget your support.