Hudson Hawks Capture Cal Ripken Youth League State Title

By Susan Bush
12:00AM / Friday, July 22, 2005

Cal Ripken youth baseball state champions the Hudson Hawks

Williamstown- The Hudson Hawks are waking up champions this morning.
The Cal Ripken Youth Baseball League team captured the league’s 11-year-old division state championship on July 21 with a 10-5 win over a league team from Greenfield. The six-inning game was slugged out at the Bud Anderson Field.

The Hudson team is now set to compete for a New England Regional title. The regional series is scheduled to begin on Aug. 5 in Southbury, Ct..

The double-elimination championship series kicked off on July 15 and the Greenfield team remained undefeated until July 19, when the Hudson Hawks claimed a 7-3 victory. That win set the stage for the final battle for the state championship.

Greenfield’s Manoli Underwood was named that team’s MVP and Dillon Glynn took MVP honors for the Hawks.

District 1 Commissioner Barry Wadsworth of Williamstown termed the game “exciting.”

“It can be tense, this is a state championship,” he said. “But these players are all athletes and they played like gentlemen. I was so impressed with the sportsmanship from both teams. In Cal Ripken, we make it about the kids, not the coaches, and so you don’t see all the screaming and yelling. This game was a really great game to watch.”

The Ripken league is gaining support state-wide;there are over 400 teams in Western Mass. and over 2000 Ripken teams in 80 leagues state-wide, said state league Commissioner Jim Edelman of Monterey. Williamstown hosts 12 Ripken league teams and 150 players, according to Wadsworth.

The league’s parent organization is the Babe Ruth League and the Ripken league was formerly known as the “Bambino League,” Edelman said.

“I think what makes the league attractive is the flexibility,” Edelman said. “We try not to interfere with local organizations, and we let them have their own rules for the regular season.”

Traditional baseball rules and regulations are enforced for tournament play, Edelman said.
During a previous interview, Wadsworth noted that the league permits players from more than one municipality to play for a specific team. Inter-community play is also allowed, Wadsworth said.

Anthony Scorsone, 9, lives in North Adams and plays for a Williamstown Ripken team. Anthony said he enjoys playing for the league.

“It’s really fun,” he said. “I like what I learn and I like all my team mates.”

Williamstown was chosen to host the division championship from a pool of several potential host communities. The condition of the playing field was a significant factor during the selection process, Edelman said.

Starting pitchers for the championship game were Hudson’s Bryan Pertarb and Greenfield’s Kyle Platner.

Susan Bush may be reached by e-mail at suebush123@adelphia.net or 802-823-9367.