Bittersweet Ending for Bedford Little League All-Stars

BRISTOL, CT - Twice, it was Bedford holding the banner, rounding the field to the applause of parents and fans as another team looked on despondently with the realization its season had come to a close.

So when it came time for the 11- and 12-year-old Little League District 1 and New Hampshire state champs to watch their opponents celebrate on the diamond, they didn't hesitate to take their place as runners-up, congratulating a Fairfield, Conn. squad that had just beaten them, 14-0, and following closely behind as the newly crowned champs carried their latest banner around the field.

All the while, the Bedford contingent in the stands repeatedly chanted "New England," cheering the Connecticut all-stars onto the Little League World Series.

"Let me tell you, I think the New Hampshire team and the parents and all the fans were first class," said Fairfield manager Bill Meury. "At the end of the game they really celebrated the win for this team."

"That's just how we are," said Bedford manager Kevin Lavigne. "We like good baseball teams, we like good kids, we like competitive athletics. If it can't be us, I'm glad it's them."

Even though Bedford fell one game short of its goal, Lavigne reflected fondly on the run that brought them to Bristol.

"You know, it's been a tremendous summer. We've sort of marched through our district tournament, marched through our state championship. We knew coming here we were going to have to have to play some really good baseball," said the skipper. "We weren't accustomed to playing games as close as we did when we were down here, and I think the boys really learned some valuable baseball lessons, you know, the importance of playing good defense, the importance for pitchers for working ahead in counts ... so it's been a great run.

"I mean, we're playing baseball and it's Aug. 11," he added. "It doesn't get much better than that unless we were playing next Thursday in Williamsport."

Meury, recognizing the talent Bedford possesses, said he is thankful it's his team moving on.

"The top of their lineup is like one through six," said Meury. "They have a lot of kids that can really swing the bat ... you know (Grant Lavigne) was three for three, and (pitcher) Matty (Kubel) and I were like, 'we'll just walk him on four pitches if we have to face him again.

"You know, they're a terrific team, and Matty just threw a very good game, and usually good pitching is going to beat good hitting, and think that's kind of how it played out tonight."

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