'Blows Your Mind': Mets, Parade For Massapequa's Winning LLWS Team

MASSAPEQUA, NY — "This is once-in-a-lifetime," said Rich Eaton, manager of Massapequa International Under 12 Softball Little League World Series champs: After defeating "home team" North Carolina for the victory on Aug. 13, the girls are being welcomed by the Mets on Aug. 26.

And that's not all: The Town of Oyster Bay will honor the winning team on Aug. 25, Eaton said. "There's a parade that will go through Park Boulevard and finish off at Town Hall," he said.

The gathering starts at 5:30 at Brady Park.

Eaton managed the squad last season, taking Massapequa International to the Regionals.

"I knew what to expect, so it definitely made it easier," Eaton told Patch.

The players were put together from "all-stars" of the regular season, but Eaton said the coaches don't pick the team.

"I didn't know if they were going to be good [or] bad," he said.

The manager did know his pitchers could throw strikes, but "they did not throw as hard as some of the best pitchers in the country."

Whether it was over-performing or out-finessing the opposition, Massapequa International allowed only 21 walks in 19 games.

"You had to hit the ball to beat us," Eaton said. "Our defense was just outstanding."

But to get on the championship run, Eaton conceded, "Things have to go right for you."

Looking back at what the team accomplished, Eaton is filled with pride for his players.

"When you have done something that no one's ever done before, it just blows your mind," he said.