A reason to remember summer’s magic

Westbrook has had something to cheer about these last few weeks, and once again, that something is the success of a local baseball team.

After the Westbrook High School boys baseball team capped a great season by going all the way to the state finals earlier this year, a group of young ball players has again given this city a reason to be excited about this great American sport.

Even though it appeared, as of this writing, Westbrook’s Little Leaguers would not be world champions, by making it to the World Series they accomplished something only two other Maine teams have accomplished. And, the last time a Maine team made it that far was more than 30 years ago.

They should come home knowing that this city is proud of them. And, we are grateful. We are grateful for all the good publicity they have brought to this city, grateful to be smiling about baseball again and grateful because, for a little while this summer, we got to remember what it was like to be young again.

Those of us who played baseball or softball (or any other sport for that matter) as a child know how good it felt to drive home a teammate with a ball hit hard down the third base line or to reach for a ball in the field and find it, magically, moments later in the web of a glove. Few things in life feel that good.

These kids will remember these days for the rest of their lives. To help them remember their glory days this summer, the city is already planning to celebrate their return with a parade Saturday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m. on Main Street. All of Westbrook’s Little League players will march in the parade from the Westbrook Public Safety Building to Riverbank Park, where they will be honored in a short ceremony.

“They did the city proud. I’m proud of those kids. I think everyone in the city is,” said Darryl Wright, chamber of commerce president and one of those organizing the celebration.

At the American Journal, we’re planning a special section that will appear in next week’s paper. It will be filled with photos of players, parents and fans, as well as stories about this remarkable team.

This group of kids has had quite a ride, defeating a tough team from Lewiston, 1-0, to win the state championship and following it up with a couple of great games at the New England Regional Tournament in Bristol, Conn.

Although most in Westbrook are now familiar with Nick Finocchiaro’s phenomenal arm, this is not a team that got to the World Series on the performances of just a few. Everyone on this seasoned team has pitched in. (Ten of the 12 players were state champs as 10-year-olds.)

Whether it was Mike Boothby’s three-run homer that helped them pull away from a Rhode Island team in the New England championship game or Jacob Gardiner’s line drive that drove home Finocchiaro in the state championship game, everyone on this team has contributed offensively and defensively.

These kids, of course, went down to the World Series in Williamsport, Pa., to win. But after two hard-fought losses against a couple of the best teams in the country, these players will hopefully remember the advice of someone from Westbrook who was there more than 50 years ago.

“What I would say to these kids is ‘relax, and have a good time.’ It will be a moment in their lives that they will always cherish,” said Jimmy Burrill, a pitcher on the 1951 Suburban All-stars team that was made up largely of players from Westbrook and Cape Elizabeth.

And, they should know, it will be a season Westbrook will remember. We will remember the summer a group of 12-year-olds reminded us all of the glory of baseball, this community and youth with the swing of their bats.

Brendan Moran, editor