PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Council Rock New Town community is proud of their Blue Dogs, who will compete in the 2024 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The Bucks County Little League baseball team punched its ticket to baseball glory on Friday, defeating Washington, D.C., 5-1 in the LLB Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament finals in Bristol, Connecticut.
“We're feeling really good. We're tired but excited. It's a process,” Council Rock-Newtown head coach Brad Hamilton said.
The team is currently in Williamsport awaiting its game against Southwest Regional champion Texas West, which will be broadcast on ESPN at 7 p.m. Thursday.
“Two years ago all we were thinking about was the Little League World Series,” said second baseman, shortstop and pitcher Dean Hamilton.
The Blue Dogs are on an 18-game winning streak.
“The hometown support and love. It's true that this is a Philadelphia trait. It's not just about Newtown, and nothing could be more true,” Hamilton said. “At the end of the day, when it comes down to it, nobody wants to see this team lose, because this is a Philadelphia trait. It's what we do.”
“It's been a tough journey to get here, but we're not done yet. We still want to accomplish things. We're very excited,” said Braden Peiffer, the team's shortstop and pitcher.
The Blue Dogs are feeling the love and support from their hometown.
“I want to see them go all the way, but it's okay if they don't. I think it's an accomplishment just to get this far. These kids work hard and we can see that. It's exciting,” said Lauren D'Andrea, whose 9-year-old son Teagan plays on the team.
Tegan plans to watch the team play on Thursday, saying she is inspired by them and wants to play on the same field when she turns 12.
“I'm going to watch the whole thing anyway, and if I'm successful, they'll probably remember that they made it,” Tegan said.
Lou Schiller's son, Nicholas, is also on the team.
“It's a great accomplishment. We're one of only 10 teams left in the entire country,” Schiller said. “The baseball community here is very close-knit. Everybody knows each other and there's a lot of 5-, 6-, 7-year-old kids, so I expect it to thrive in the near future. I think Newtown baseball will be around for a while.”
Win or lose, Newtown is proud of the Blue Dogs and what their team has accomplished so far.
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Josh Sanders
