The Scarborough High softball team has played in nine consecutive Western Class A championship games with four state titles since 2007.

But the town’s softball success isn’t limited to high school. The Scarborough Little League 11-12 all-stars have won four consecutive state championships – beating York 3-0 behind the pitching of Bella Dickinson last weekend for their latest title.

Next up is the Little League Softball East Regional in Bristol, Connecticut. Scarborough’s first game in the double-elimination tournament will be at noon Saturday against Warwick, Rhode Island.

Ten of the 13 players were on the team that advanced to the regional tournament a year ago. “This is a really special group,” said Tom Griffin, coach of the high school team.

He should know – he’s watched them over the years. There is a connection between the two programs. Success at the Little League level fuels success at the high school level.

“That’s the whole key,” said John Provost, the head coach at Thornton Academy, one of Scarborough’s chief threats in high school. “That youth program has been strong for many, many years. The success of that youth program and the development of pitchers at a young age contribute to the success at the high school level.”

Griffin credits the Little League program with feeding his high school program with talent. The Red Storm have lost only 10 games since 2007.

“It’s important when they have a great all-star experience,” said Griffin. “They’re playing, extending the season, practicing every day, playing under some pressure, traveling a little bit. I think it’s huge. And I think the biggest thing is to be given an opportunity to be practicing on a regular basis.

“And when they’re successful, it inspires kids to continue to work hard, where they’re not just putting the Little League cleats away when the season ends and get the soccer balls out. I want the kids to have a good summer experience … I want kids to say, ‘I want to be part of the high school program someday.’ ”

The Little League parents and coaches credit Griffin with much of their success.

“It all starts with him,” said Ryan Roy, the manager of Scarborough’s all-stars.

“I think he does a great job,” said Mike Turner, whose daughter Mackenzie Turner plays for the Little League all-stars. “He does a good job of trying to get his girls to come down and help at the Little League level. And the Little League girls get to see what it’s like to play at the high school level, so they aspire to that.”

Griffin, his coaches and players are closely aligned with the Little League teams. There are four teams for the 11-12-year-olds, another three for the 9-10s.

His coaches help with Little League tryouts. Before the season, he holds a clinic for the Little League coaches. “We try to get them to work on the skills that we think are important,” said Griffin.

During the season, the Scarborough High players umpire Little League games on the bases. They also hold a clinic in which players move from station to station, teaching skills, another chance for players to bond. “It’s great when the kids can build those relationships,” said Griffin.

Then there’s Little League Appriciation Night. Once a year, Scarborough has the Little Leaguers come to a varsity game, go out in uniform to their positions before the game and cheer on the varsity. Griffin also holds clinics in the offseason.

This year’s Scarborough 11-12 all-stars are a strong group. Six are making their third consecutive appearance in a regional, having won the state title as 10-year-olds as well: Dickinson, Sylvia Foley, Hannah Dobecki, Hannah Gower, Ryanne Cox and Madison Blanchard. Four others are playing in their second: Abby Roy, Julie Freeman, Julia Booth-Howe and Caitlin Noiles. Jenna Giguere, Mollie Verreault and Turner are playing in their first regional.

“To be a high school player someday is pretty cool in Scarborough,” said Roy, who works as a mechanical engineer at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. “That’s what these kids aspire to do.”

 

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