After over two weeks on the road and a lifetime of memories made in Williamsport, the Braintree Little Leaguers returned home Monday to a hero’s welcome.
The twelve-year-old boys’ team was greeted by fans and their families after finally arriving at Hollingsworth Field Monday evening after a lengthy bus ride back from Pennsylvania.
The Braintree Little Leaguers were eliminated by Washington in the World Series on Sunday morning but had already done more than enough to make their hometown proud by claiming the state championship, coming out of the New England region and winning their first-ever Little League World Series game.
“It was like freshman year of college for 12-year-olds,” said assistant coach JP Kippenhan.
Shaun Needle, another assistant coach, added, “My son puked on the bus I got it all in the car... so that was fun.”
His son, second baseman Logan Needle, told Boston 25, “I felt like we could’ve won a couple more games, but we still made it to Williamsport.”
The players were met by family, friends, and town residents who cheered them on all week.
Logan added, “I thought it was only going to be the parents and grandparents, but almost everyone in Braintree is here.”
The boys are now eyeing a new school year and fall sports.
They left Williamsport with a 1-2 record.
Coach Needle finished, “Don’t give up. We were down a lot... Whenever we were down, they never felt bad. They always picked each other up, and that’s the big thing. They supported each other.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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