Last Sunday, Ridgefield’s Community Center won Little League’s District One All Towns Championship which was played at Aldrich Park. Terry Hastings managed the team to an 11-9 defeat of Pamby’s.
Ridgefield showed their dominance in Fairfield County’s Little League when both Ridgefield teams eliminated the other teams in the district to meet each other in the final game.
The All Towns Championship extends an invitation to all teams in the district that have won their town leagues during the regular season. Ridgefield has two leagues, the American and National Leagues. Community Center and Pamby’s earned the right to participate in Connecticut Little League’s District One championship after winning their respective divisions during the regular season.
Community Center was powered by Tony Macchia and Max Ringer, who at one point in the tournament, hit back to back homeruns. Community Center beat the Weston town champion in the first round last week and the Rowayton town champion to advance to the finals. Pamby's overpowered Wilton to advance to the finals.
Community Center's win was savored by the boys, as they had lost in the town world series to Squashes the weekend before. Thus, the team showed great determination and pride in beating the best teams from other District 1 towns and holding off the Pamby’s team.
Community Center has been coached by Terry Hastings for 25 years. He has been assisted for the last few years by John Macchia. The team is comprised of 12 year olds: Tony Macchia, Max Ringer, Peter Haynos, Jack Liguori, James McCann and John Thompson. Sunday was the 12 years old last game on the vaunted Community Center team.
This group has made it to the Ridgefield finals, along with 11 year Joey Pastore, two years in a row and now has brought home the All Towns banner to Ridgefield. The smiling faces and determination of the Community Center 12 years olds will long be remembered and will be missed on the Ridgefield ball fields.
But, Community Center will be back next year. Eleven year olds David Goodman and Connor Kepcher joined the team this year, and along with Joey Pastore, who now has 2 years under his belt, will be the returning 12’s next year on Community Center. Ten year olds Matt Restivo and Jack Costello had great first years, and will also return next year.