Because of the subject matter, this is an extraordinarily long gallery, but it's worth it.
Every Little League region in the world sends one team to the LL World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, except one.
The Eastern Region, based in Bristol, CT- because it covers 12 states - gets to send two teams.
Madison Connecticut (in yellow) vs Barrington RI in the semi-final game. Below, there is a link to a photo montage (set to music) of this entire game.
One team is the winner of the six states of New England. The other team represents the Mid - Atlantic states.
The Mid-Atlantic Region consists of the states of New York - New Jersey - Pennsylvania - Delaware - Maryland - and Washington D.C.
Bristol CT just happens to be the home of ESPN so their camera crews and equipment don't have far to go.
Lots of of yellow uniforms here. These kids are from Madison CT - gotta cheer for my home state!
Safe or out? Amazingly, they have instant replay technology at these regional playoffs.
Safe !
Ideal shot is when the bat is actually touching the ball, but 1/8000th of a second can only do so much.
Difficult to believe these kids are 11 and 12 and 13!
Finally, Barrington, Rhode Island breaks it wide open.
One of Rhode Island's pitchers.
Finally, after nearly the entire game being tied, Rhode Island broke loose.
For CT State Champs - Madison - this was not the way it was supposed to end.
Devoted fans - watch a fast-paced (but l-o-n-g) photo / musical montage of this ENTIRE game !
This photo montage (click on left video icon) was brilliantly done by my son who has now joined our family business. Kudos to you Kevin!
and now...below...we turn to the boys from Washington D.C. who were eliminated early
The boys from Washington D.C. - This is Jonathan.
Henry - the best bubble blower on all 12 teams who competed.
Luckily - the rains held off.
Ben
Patrick
mom and Logan
One of D.C.'s coaches, Pete Robinson
D.C. sisters
Every reason to be proud of their son. This is Jonathan again.
D.C. sisters
The District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) boys may have been eliminated early - once by New Jersey and once by New York - but what an incredible bunch they and their parents were / are. I know because I met many of them.
below are photos from the New England Championship game. It was Goffstown NH vs Barrington RI
various media people - kids didn't know where to look
coaches sharing words
out of focus, but worth including in this gallery
Barrington, Rhode Island went on to Williamsport where they met limited success. Williamsport is a double elimination tournament. That means your team must lose twice before you are sent home. In their first game, Rhode Island lost to Virginia, but then saved themselves when they beat Kentucky. Ultimately, they lost to New Jersey...the same team who won their Mid-Atlantic Championship on the same field they shared while earning their New England Championship. New Jersey, in turn, was later eliminated by the team from River Ridge (Eastbank), Louisiana...the same team that went on to win the entire Little League World Series Championship. The Louisiana team beat Curaçao to win it all. Watch a 1 min/20 sec video of that game's highlights.