Hamilton-Wenham Little League Annual 12-Year-Old Graduation Banquet is a Homerun!

Hamilton-Wenham Little League held its 12-year-old Graduation Dinner Banquet last Sunday night to a capacity crowd. The class of 2012 (49 player graduates), special guests and parents were on hand for the dinner and festivities, which is provided at no cost to players and family members by HWLL.

, President of HWLL, welcomed parents and player graduates to the . The event began with a moment of silence for Post 194 members who sacrificed their lives for our country. HWLL President Len Dolan recognized the Hamilton American Legion Post 194 for its outstanding long history of civic contributions to HWLL and to the two towns. Tony Roche, on behalf of Post 194, accepted the photo plaque which featured the Post 194 Color Guard in action on HWLL's opening day. Tony then said a few words to the players and parents on the history of the Legion, the sport of baseball and the values the game instills in players.

HWLL then recognized Augie MacCurrach as 2012 Volunteer of the Year. Augie was lauded for his coaching, HWLL concessions management, Summer Baseball Director and organizing and overseeing every aspect of the Inaugural HW Generals Summer Classic Tournament.

Mike Parr was then thanked by HWLL for his 10 plus years of HWLL Board and coaching service. Dolan's reciting of Mike's long list of efforts and contributions over the years was warmly appreciated with a standing ovation from the audience.

John Gallant, the HW Babe Ruth Commissioner, spoke to the players and parents about the next level of HW baseball available to them.

"HW Babe Ruth is a tremendous in-town opportunity for the players to keep improving their skills while learning to play on MLB regulation size field like the pros do," Gallant commented. He further pointed out that the two 2012 Hamilton-Wenham 13-year-old teams and the two 14-15-year-old teams played in their respective 2012 Cape Ann Babe Ruth League Division Championship Game. After battlng through the playoffs defeating opposing towns, each age division HW team played against each other in the finals. The result was HW Generals finishing first and second in each age division! Gallant's comments were met with cheers and sustained applause for HW Babe Ruth teams great accomplishment.

The main event featured each HWLL Team Manager taking the podium, bringing their players forward to award them their trophy and to say a few words about each of the player's skills and team contributions. Parents videotaped and family members took photos as friends, classmates and teammates cheered for each player as they took their turns listening to their team manager's comments and then accepted their trophy.

The Graduation Banquet has become an eagerly awaited tradition for HWLL players and family members as a way to say goodbye to the current season, hello to Babe Ruth baseball and as a Thank You from HWLL Board of Directors for playing HWLL baseball.