Hundreds Give Newtown LL World Series Team A Huge Welcome Home

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Hundreds turned out Wednesday evening at the Chandler Fields to welcome home a group of 12-year-old Little League All Stars who captured their hearts and made local baseball history.

Escorted into town by Newtown Fire Rescue, their bus pulled into the parking lot at their home fields on Sycamore Street where young and old were waiting to celebrate the team's return home from their appearance in the Little League World Series in Williamsport.

While these young ballplayers came up short in the quest for the World Series trophy, they came home big winners in the eyes of the Newtown community, which has supported them every step of the way.

As the stunned ball players departed the Susquehanna Trailways bus, not expecting such a large crowd, colorful paper confetti cascaded down from above as TV cameras and reporters captured the special moment.

"Coming around that corner and into Chandler Field and seeing everyone here supporting us, it was just amazing," said Coach Brad Hamilton. "I genuinely appreciate all the support we received. They might not now it, but we felt it in Williamsport and we were really, really, really lifted by it."

Pitcher Tyler Neeld talks with a TV reporter. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Signing autographs. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

The first thing the team did was head to their home diamond where they ran the bases like pros before gathering on the deck of the snack shack with their coaches to thank their hometown fans for the support.

On their way to Williamsport, the team captured the District Tournament Title, the Pennsylvania State Championship and the Mid-Atlantic Region Championship to punch their ticket to the big game in Williamsport where their appearances on the field were broadcast around the world on ESPN and ABC.

"We want to thank everyone of you, from the players to the coaches and most importantly, the parents and the families, for the excitement and joy you brought to our community over the past two months," said Brett D'Andrea, a board member and coach with the Council Rock Newtown Athletic Association. "You have truly made this summer a summer we will never forget.

Sol Feinstone proud. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Coach Brad Hamilton. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

"While Newtown Baseball has always had a remarkable reputation it was this group of boys here who literally and figuratively put us on the Little League World Series map for the entire nation to see achieving the status of one of the top six Little League teams in the U.S. and one of the top 12 Little League teams in the entire world," said D'Andrea.

In Williamsport, the team lost its first game, 9-0, to the Southwest, but rebounded to defeat its next two competitors - New England and the Northwest - before being eliminated from play by the strong pitching of Hawaii on Tuesday afternoon.

"What an unbelievable accomplishment, not only just making it to the Little League World Series but showing the entire nation that you deserved to be there," said D'Andrea. "Battling back after a tough opening game against Texas, showing incredible resilience and winning your next two games against New England and Washington, and fighting until the very end against a worthy opponent in Hawaii. But that's baseball and competitive sports in general. You win some, you lose some. It is rare, if possible, to win them all, and unfortunately all good things must come to an end. But in the spirit of the great Nelson Mandela quote, 'You never lose. You either win or you learn.'

"And I believe you all have gained something over the last few months that will be with you through the rest of your lives," said D'Andrea.

D'Andrea then turned to the coaches of the team, commending them for an incredible season.

"It starts and ends with you guys," he said of coaches Brad Hamilton, Kyle Neeld and Doug Peiffer. "You establish the culture. You create the positive learning environment. You were there for these boys through all the ups and downs. Your dedication not only to this team but to the organization as a whole is to be commended. You are the captains of the ship, and win or lose, you were behind these boys every step of the way. You made our entire organization so proud and we are forever grateful for all the blood, sweat and tears you put into Council Rock Newtown Baseball."

D'Andrea also recognized the parents who he called "the tidal wave behind Council Rock Newtown Baseball" for the past several months. "Your support and dedication to every single one of these boys is admired and respected from everyone here at the organization. We have some of the best parents and families right here in our club."

Council Rock Newtown Little League 12U All-Stars

• Brayden Peiffer
• Brody Gage
• Dean Hamilton
• Gavin Caudill
• Greyson Gage
• Nick Schiller
• Rocco DaBronzo
• Ryan Uhl
• Saverio Longo
• Tyler Neeld
• Tyler Wexler
• Wes Esteves
• Will Siveter

Manager: Brad Hamilton
Coaches: Doug Peiffer and Kyle Neeld

The Mid-Atlantic Team (Council Rock Newtown Little League U2 All-Stars).