by The Arlington 8U baseball team is going to the Cal Ripken 8U Player Pitch World Series for the second consecutive year.
Arlington won the District 7 title, outscoring its opponents 49–4, went 5-0 in the Massachusetts state tournament, winning twice by a single run, and then won the New England Regional in New Milford, Conn., with four of the 14 players from the previous year’s team returning.
Head coach Angelo Amico III remarked, “When the games begin, these kids seem to focus like I’ve never seen for a bunch of 8-year-olds.” They take in everything so fast.
Amico, a native of Arlington, was also the coach of the squad that had first baseman and pitcher Rowan Sullivan the previous season.
Sullivan stated, “I think we can do a little better than last year now that I know what it’s like.”
The parents, who organize their summer schedule around attending practices, games, and competitions, have been the unsung heroes. During the regional competition, families stayed in hotels for eight days, and they might stay for nine days during the national event.
We wouldn’t have a squad without the parents who have supported us throughout the entire process, said assistant coach Mike Kalivas.
Both on and off the field, Arlington’s community has been incredibly supportive.
In under two weeks, a GoFundMe established by the AYBSA earned $11,000 to cover travel costs. Practice, scrimmages, and batting drills have been aided by the 9U, 11U, and 12U teams.
Assistant coach Pete Arcoma stated, “It’s been a lot of fun for the little guys to look up to the bigger kids today. These kids have had a lot of support with the other groups.”
Players have a unique experience when they compete in the national competition. Teams from all across the world compete, much like in the Little League World Series.
The Babe Ruth Baseball League is the parent organization of Cal Ripken baseball. Unlike Little League, where bases are spaced 60 and 46 feet apart, bases are spaced 70 feet apart, and the mound is 50 feet away.
Play in the World Series starts in Arlington on Saturday.
“I think we have a good shot,” Kalivas said, adding, “We want to get there and see if we can win, make the town proud.”
