Stratford 8U Baseball Team Headed To World Series

STRATFORD, CT — A Stratford youth baseball team has proven it's the best in the state. Now the team wants to be the best in the nation.

The Stratford Baseball Association's team for players ages 8 and younger is going to the Cal Ripken 8-Year-Old Player-Pitch Invitational World Series later this month in New Jersey. The team has a 30-8 season record. It won the 2019 state championship, took second place in the New England regionals and is the first association team in 12 years to qualify for a World Series event.

"I've never seen a group of kids like this," said team manager and association field director Carl Sakowicz Jr. "... They play excellent defense and they can just hit like you don't believe."

The association teaches players not to dwell on mistakes but to instead focus on what's next, and to respect the opposing team, said Sakowicz, who praised the dedication of the Stratford team's 12 players and their parents.

"We call practice for two hours and most of the time we are there between two-and-a-half hours and three hours," he said.

Association President Pete Adzima said the coaches have the same commitment as the players.

The World Series will take place Aug. 7 to Aug. 15 in Cherry Hill, and will include seed and bracket play, as well as other events and activities.

"We are very excited to go and these kids are going down here to win it," Sakowicz said.

The team is raising funds to pay for the costs of the trip. Team members will be accepting donations from 9 a.m. to noon Friday at 7-Eleven, 3621 Main St., and from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Paradise Pizza, 3610 Main St. Zack's Frozen Yogurt, 60 Access Road, will donate a portion of its sales Monday to the team. Donations can also be made online at https://donorbox.org/2019-8u-cal-ripken-world-series.