By Marley Seaman
The 11- and 12-year olds stellar season finally ended on July 20, when they fell 8-1 to the squad from Rockville Centre in the District 30 championship game. In a game against Rockville Centre two days earlier, Baldwin found themselves only six outs from taking the title before losing a three-run lead.
It should have been a difficult loss to take, but the Baldwin players didn't seem to know it. Within minutes of the end of the championship game, and the season, the boys in blue were grinning and chatting on the field as they received their trophies. Robbie Silverman's trophy, the classic gold-painted batter standing atop a marbled pedestal, fell apart as he shook it for his teammates. He just laughed. As the coaches scrambled to reassemble his trophy, Jake Cleva's prize also disintegrated. The team fell apart in laughter.
"They all got their shot and played hard," said manager Ed Healey. Most of the players have competed together in past tournaments. As ten-year-olds, they advanced to the sectional round of qualifying for the Little League World Series.
Heading into the July 18 game against Rockville Centre, the Baldwin boys - a tournament team, made up of the best players in their age group - traveled an undefeated path through the district tournament. Their wins came against Oceanside (American League), Long Beach and Rockville Centre. They reached the title games as the winners bracket representative.
The Baldwin team that competed for a spot in the Little League World Series, here in batting order for a typical game.
Eddie Murer 1 P/SS
Jesse Sullivan 7 CF
Nick LoBello 8 SS/P
Robbie Silverman 31 1B
Brian Haab 14 3B
Joey Danielson 51 C
Brian Ganley 4 LF
Tommy Kelleher 13 RF
Ian Shoenfeld 10 2B
Jake Cleva 6
Danny Digregorio 3
Chris Dolan 17
Patrick Healey 22
Nick Phillips 66
Positions listed are for team's starters.
Manager: Ed Healey
Coaches: Tom LoBello, Larry Danielson
