Town of Milton rocking a sense of community, sends teams off to New England
Smack dab in the middle of a politically charged season there was only one party going on at Milton Memorial Park on a Wednesday night for National Night Out. The old town, with a deep history and a sense of place and people, turned out across the generations to celebrate “just living in the 684” and to honor the two state champion Little League teams who were heading off to different towns in New England for Eastern Regional competitions.
The major league boys, a group that had won four straight District 3 championships as they aged and developed together, are packed up and ready to go to Bristol, Conn., for a double-elimination tournament against some seriously stellar competition.
“We go to Bristol Friday, check in on Saturday morning, then picnic for lunch, and opening ceremonies are Saturday night,” said Manager Rusty Rauch. “We get a first-round bye on Sunday. Then we play our first game Monday, Aug. 8 at 4 p.m. against the winner of New York versus New Jersey. Our game will be broadcast on ESPN 3.”
ESPN 3 is gettable via live streaming on computer, Apple TV and smartphone; the technologically challenged are urged to practice before game day.
The 9-10 all stars, like their older mates in the majors versus Brandywine, came back to win a state championship in a one-game showdown versus Canal. They are on their way to Cranston, R.I., for a round robin tournament, guaranteed four games and perhaps a fifth if they qualify for the Mid-Atlantic Championship.
“All the years I coached and was involved with Little League, I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Wayne Mitchell. “Two teams from the same small town winning state championships and going to Eastern Regionals – that is just amazing.”
“I learned a new word, ‘gazebo,’” longtime fireman Alan Jackson joked. “That’s where the teams will be introduced. But you see the long lines for all this free food? Check out the lines, you probably know everybody.”
True, it was a Milton party you couldn’t buy your way into; the only cover charge was a handshake and a smile. One town cop wore a “hug a cop” sign.
Donations for the town’s teams were piling in all week. “The Seashore Striders are donating $1,000,” said Striders founder Tim Bamforth, walking around with an envelope. “I’m just not sure who to give it to.”
There were “clowns to the left of me and jokers to the right” balloon animals and face painting, grandparents and kids on the playground, and the music delivered by Honey Voshell.
And no down-home Milton party would be complete without Shorty and his Pit Crew.
Big old rascal Clay Joseph, a real working farmer his entire life, has two kids on the 9-10 team.
“I got all my work done and caught up, and I’m going to Rhode Island, and on a day off I’m driving to Bristol to watch them boys play. Dad ain’t too happy, but I’ll catch up on my work when I get back.”
