Naperville Little League City Tournament Championship and All-Star Games will be held throughout the afternoon and evening on Sat., July 14, at Knoch Park, sponsored by Gerald Nissan.
The public is welcome to come out to the ballpark and experience family fun with spirited competition and a “root, root root for the home team” from Naperville.
Refreshments, games and music will be available on this tournament day, featuring three contests including the marquee match-up of these 10-12 year old teams.
First up, 9-year-olds play in their Championship Game at 3PM.
The Minors Championship Game is scheduled at 5:30PM. The Republic Athletics meet the Republic White Sox in an intra-division match up that will crown the champion of the 2012 season.
The American League All Stars vs. National League All-Stars game is slated for 8PM.
Between game entertainment will be provided by Gooby PLS with Angeli’s Restaurant & Catering serving food and beverages.
Admission is free. The rain date is Sun., July15. Knoch Park is located at 810 S. West Street.
For more information, rules, standings, etc., visit Naperville Little League Baseball.
Of distinguishing note, four of the A’s players have been on the same team for six years. The young athletes will play for the last time together in their only baseball championship opportunity. Jack Blanchard (bottom row, 2nd from left), Denis Murphy (bottom row, center), Gregory Long (bottom row, far right) and Griffen Crose (2nd row, far right) have all been teammates since kindergarten tee ball. Not an easy task.
Above, the Athletics are pictured after the semi-final competition.
Photo courtesy of Greg Long
SPORTS UPDATE!
Championship Game was played, Athletics are Minor League Division champs
“Thank you so much for posting the story!” wrote Greg Long on Sunday.
“By the way, we won! The Athletics won a tightly contested game over the tough White Sox, 5-2, for the Naperville City Championship, Minor Division.”
In other playoffs, the National League Yankees bested the Continental League White Sox, 11-0, for the 9-year-old City Championship.
In the evening All-Star game, the National League shut out the American League, 4-0.
Here the Oakland Athletics full team is pictured with trophies immediately following Saturday’s championship game.
The bottom photo includes the four 6-year teammates — Jack Blanchard, Denis Murphy, Griffen Crose and Gregory Long—who have been playing together since kindergarten.
Greg Long also noted, “A wonderful event with over 70-plus players and hundreds of supportive fans enjoying the day’s festivities!”
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