If there were lessons learned this June and July, it’s that Nottingham Little League has reasserted itself as the District 12 power while Sunnybrae staked its claim as the main challenger to the throne.
For the third straight year, Nottingham swept district championships at the 10, 11 and 12-year-old levels. Lurking in the younger leagues is the Brae, which won the 8-year-old D-12 crown and had its 9-year-old team stay sharp by winning its two All-Star team tournaments in dominating fashion (there is no district tournament for 9s).
Looking at both leagues, it all stems from a group effort.
“Sunnybrae has the right mix of dedicated families, excellent coaching, and talented baseball players at all age groups,” 8-year-old manager Dan Mattonelli said. “Our President, Dan Pieszchala does a tremendous job creating a fun competitive environment at the Brae.”
Matt Sweeney, who returned to the Sunnybrae 9-year-olds after a season coaching with the Thunder, agreed with Mattonelli that contributions from everyone were key.
“The on-field success speaks to the ongoing support of the community and families,” the former Phillies prospect said. “Winning is always a plus, but the support is creating an environment where our players are going to be successful far beyond their little league careers.”
At Nottingham, 12-year-old manager Adam Reymann called it “a culture,” under the direction of President Adam Bendas.
“Everyone wants to hang out here,” Reymann said. “Kids want to be here all the time. The younger kids watch the older kids. They learn you can have fun but you can also win. Each age group teaches the one below them.”
Much like Sunnybrae, it takes a village; and it also takes guys with roots at Sayen Park.
“This is a testament to the outstanding leadership of the league, volunteers and coaching,” 11-year-old skipper Mike Bongrazio said. “Many of these recent coaches played at Nottingham as kids, and continue to build the winning tradition. We’ve been very fortunate to have so many talented players and outstanding families over the years. It’s not easy with so many talented leagues within the district.”
Chris Talar, the 10-year-old manager, said that everyone in the league is proud of each other’s accomplishments. He also brought up an important factor in the Little League game today, and sympathizes with those organizations it affects negatively.
“The new Little League residency rules allow for some families that fit certain criteria to have options to choose which league they want to play for,” Talar said. “I don’t necessarily agree with the rules but it has helped Nottingham’s numbers continue to grow where it hurts other leagues. It’s a shame and it’s hurting the smaller programs not only in our area but all over the country and that’s not want anyone wants to see.”
But for now, leagues play with the cards they are dealt, and Sunnybrae and Nottingham have been producing some pretty good hands.
8-YEAR-OLDS
After winning four straight District 12 games by a combined 41-17 score, Sunnybrae reached the Section 3 finals after falling into the elimination bracket early with a loss to Brick. The Brae won two straight but could not extend it to the “if” game as Brick won the rematch.
Seven players returned from last year’s 7s while six new ones made the roster. The coaches included Eric Ammirata, Eric Woodrow and Rick Cowell.
“We knew this group could be contenders for the D12 title and make a run at sections and states,” Mattonelli said. “Me, Ammirata and Woodrow all played with and against each other in high school and college and had this dream of potentially having our kids play together and build something special.
“Throughout districts and sections we had lights out pitching by our four horses — Gino Diodati, Bryce Ammirata, Joe D’Andrea and Andrew Cowell. Our hitting was paced by our leadoff man, Luca Mattonelli, and timely hitting by Nate Ernst, Anthony Villanueva, Cowell, Diodati and D’Andrea. We got tremendous defense by Bennett Woodrow, D’Andrea, Ammirata and Cowell.”
Also contributing were Anthony Runof, John Danley, Maxx Matolchi and Luke McGowan.
Mattonelli praised his coaching staff for preparing the team on being fundamentally sound. Little things made the difference sch as baserunning, clean footwork, defensive mechanics and disciplined at-bats.
“I’m most proud of their character,” the skipper said. “Every one of these kids bought into our brand of baseball — hustle, focus, and ‘Play for the Brae,’ mentality. There is zero individualism.”
9-YEAR-OLDS
Sunnybrae was a machine in two All-Star tournaments, going a combined 8-0 at West End and in its own tournament by scoring well over 100 runs.
“This team drives each other day in and day out,” Sweeney said. “The pitching depth of Grayson (“Harper”) Fink, Colton Falconio, Luke Kinsella, Kalan Sweeney and Nathan Dressler is hard to come by. They are supported by Ethan Scheps and Colin Kelleher in tough spots where they continue to pick up the pitching staff. Timely hitting from top to bottom and strong play behind the plate with Bryce Bell and Joey (“Little Meatball Master”) Papero keep everything rolling.”
Rounding out the powerful lineup were Grayson Recchia, Hudson DeSimone, Joe Brown and Mason Stillwell. They have helped this group go 12-0 in either District 12 games or tournaments against district teams.
“This team understands that hard work pays off,” said Sweeney, who is assisted by Tom “Fuji” Fink and Sean Kelleher. “The expectation is not to win, but to understand the game, how to be a good teammate and the importance of coming to the field ready to play every day. It’s easier to perform when the focus is on things they can control. They are proud to wear the uniform and compete for each other.”
And while the manager noted that no one can predict the future, especially at this age, he feels it could be bright when his team returns to district play next season.
“The drive to succeed is there every day at practice and in games,” he said. “Time will tell, but we are all excited to see what’s coming down the road.”
10-YEAR-OLDS
Coming off a season in which they won the 9-year-old West End and Lawrence tournaments, Nottingham returned to district play with another title after winning it as 8-year-olds. The Sayen Gang went 4-0 in districts by outscoring teams 30-1 before going 2-2 in Section 3 games.
“Our success was attributed to the strength of our pitching and defense,” Talar said. “Section Three is arguably the toughest in the state so we knew we would have to earn it. We didn’t play to our ability in the first game and that sent us to the loser’s bracket. We had to win five games in five days. I still feel we were the strongest team in the section and our pitching was lined up to make a run but it just wasn’t our year.”
But Nottingham did reach it’s number one aim.
“The initial goal was to win the district and the boys worked extremely hard and were very well prepared,” Talar said. “We won the state championship as eights but it was a different type of baseball with five-inning games, no stealing, one base on an overthrow. It took some creative strategy at eights and the tens it’s becoming more like real baseball.”
The team consisted of Ryan Brettell, Adrian Cicale, Joseph Costello, Lucas Espinal, Christian Fuhrman, Benjamin Galant, Dominic Otter, Giancarlo Rodriguez, Gianni Rotondo, Dylan Schaefer, Mason Schiaretti and Austin Talar.
Assistant coaches were Tom Brettell, Joe Fuhrman and Alfie Espinal.
“For the most part we have been able to keep the same team together but each year we have had some changes,” Talar said. “Nottingham is a very competitive little league and one of the best around. The talent pool at our age is very strong. We always tell the boys the best way to get better is by surrounding yourself around good competition.
“Our team has a solid future and now we know what we’re up against. Nothing will be handed to us no matter how much talent we have.”
11-YEAR-OLDS
Another Nottingham team that breezed through districts; the 11s won their three games by a combined 28-5 count before battling back to the Section 3 championship round before falling to Jackson-Holbrook, 5-2.
Nottingham was sent to elimination bracket after a 7-6 loss to J-H before beating North Howell and Clark by 11-3 counts to reach the finals.
“The team is resilient, they know what they can do on a baseball field and never quit,” Bongrazio said. I believe they learned last year with the experience they gained during our sections and state tournament (championship) runs.
“They don’t dwell on the past; they concentrate on what’s in front of them. It’s really hard to do, especially at a young age, and I’m very proud of them for that. They believe in themselves, and their teammates. It’s been an amazing two years and we’ll be back stronger next year.”
Nottingham had three strong starting pitchers in Gavin Jones, Enzo DiMartino and Dominic Bongrazio. Relief help was provided by Michael Gargione and Nolan Muits. Offensively Nottingham improved vastly, batting .419 as a team “with a great mix of power and speed.”
Along with the hurlers, the 11s included Christian Bianchi, AJ Krywenko, TJ Chew, Justin Snediker, Logan Whitman, Jackson Bishop and Alex Cucchiaro. The coaches were Stu Whitman, Brad Bishop and Dave DiMartino.
12-YEAR-OLDS
Much like the 11s, the 12s swept through districts by outscoring three teams 24-9 before losing to Jackson-Holbrook in the championship round of the Section 3 tournament by a 5-2 score. Nottingham fell to J-H in its second game before battling back with wins over South Wall and Milltown.
In the rematch with J-H, Nottingham fell behind 5-0 before cutting the deficit to 5-2 and threatening to score more. It was that kind of tenacity that Reymann admired.
“I told them ‘Right now it stinks, it hurts,” he said following the loss. “But in a couple days when you think back; we’ve been successful. Every year we’ve played we’ve had a successful team. You gotta look at the good stuff.”
The good stuff was three straight district championships, along with a no-hitter by Matteo Pandolfini against Sunnybrae in the districts. Pandolfini also blasted one of his four post-season home runs in that game. And then there was the tremendous play of 11-year-old Austin Marshall, who can return to play with the 12s next year.
Eli Spurlock went 4-1 as a starting pitcher, Brennan Talar made some outstanding plays in centerfield that was reminiscent of his dad (the manager) during his days at Steinert.
Tim Reymann was a rock behind the plate, and everyone contributed up and down the lineup including Gennaro Salzano, Owen McWhorter, Owen Quirk, Ryan O’Donnell, Ryan O’Connor, John Dymowski and Jason Balog.
“All the guys showed they belonged,” Reymann said. “They all made some kind of contribution.
The coaching staff consisted of Ryan Pandolfini and Jonathan Spurlock.
The Sunnybrae Little League 8-year-olds won their age group in District 12 before losing to Brick in the Section 3 finals.,
