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LINCOLN — Lincoln Little League Baseball started the regional celebration early.
A packed sending-off party watched the Rhode Island State Champions earn their new uniforms at Randy Hien Field on Thursday night, Aug. 6. Lincoln will have its new attire handy when it leaves on Friday morning for Bristol, Connecticut.
The Metro Regional, a four-team tournament that includes Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, awaits the state’s best Little League team. Lincoln meets New York on Saturday at 4 p.m. for its first game in the double-elimination tournament. The game is streamed on ESPN+.
“I’m just having fun with my friends,” Lincoln’s John Rattigan said. “Even if we lose, no matter the outcome, we’re still going to have fun. It’s great when the whole Lincoln town is coming to cheer you on for the tournament.”
Lincoln navigated the losers’ bracket and beat Barrington twice, including a 2-1 triumph in the winner-take-all final to capture the state’s crown. The victory marked Lincoln’s return to the regional stage for the first time since 2013, when it played in the New England Regional. Lincoln has some success at regionals with two World Series appearances (2001 and 2004).
“Just seeing how much all of the hard work paid off,” manager Kevin Greene said. “The kids were here every day, the coaches and to see it pay off really felt like we accomplished something and that it was worth it.”
Bristol’s draw always tends to be time in the pool, a bit of ping pong and the dorms where the teams stay overnight. The boys will certainly spend their share of time exploring the Little League complex, but Luca Martinelli just wants it to be gameday.
“All of my friends are going to be there and I’m excited for that,” Martinelli said. “It’s going to be a great time, sometimes it might get chaotic, but I really love the game. I love the sport and I think we’re going to have a great time.”
“They’re already claiming top bunks and all of that good stuff,” Greene said. “But we’ve emphasized that we’re there to do a job. We’re there to play baseball and we’re there to win some games.”
If Lincoln wins on Saturday, it’ll play the winner of Connecticut-New Jersey on Monday afternoon. If the Rhode Island boys lose in Game 1, it’s a quick turnaround to Sunday night for an elimination contest. The championship, if Lincoln were to make it that far, is slated for Friday, Aug. 14.
Whatever this next week may hold for Lincoln, it is heading into the regional tournament knowing it has a strong support system behind it.
“I told the team that if they go on a run, the town will get behind them,” Greene said. “This town loves its baseball. I compare it to a small town in Texas that loves football. That’s how we are with baseball in Lincoln.”
Lincoln’s first game at the Metro Regional is streamed on ESPN+. First pitch against New York is set for 4 p.m.
Lincoln captured the 2013 state crown and reached the New England Regional final in Bristol. Lincoln lost to Connecticut, 1-0, in the championship.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Lincoln Little League Baseball receives warm sendoff before regionals
Continue reading...
A packed sending-off party watched the Rhode Island State Champions earn their new uniforms at Randy Hien Field on Thursday night, Aug. 6. Lincoln will have its new attire handy when it leaves on Friday morning for Bristol, Connecticut.
The Metro Regional, a four-team tournament that includes Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, awaits the state’s best Little League team. Lincoln meets New York on Saturday at 4 p.m. for its first game in the double-elimination tournament. The game is streamed on ESPN+.
“I’m just having fun with my friends,” Lincoln’s John Rattigan said. “Even if we lose, no matter the outcome, we’re still going to have fun. It’s great when the whole Lincoln town is coming to cheer you on for the tournament.”
Lincoln navigated the losers’ bracket and beat Barrington twice, including a 2-1 triumph in the winner-take-all final to capture the state’s crown. The victory marked Lincoln’s return to the regional stage for the first time since 2013, when it played in the New England Regional. Lincoln has some success at regionals with two World Series appearances (2001 and 2004).
“Just seeing how much all of the hard work paid off,” manager Kevin Greene said. “The kids were here every day, the coaches and to see it pay off really felt like we accomplished something and that it was worth it.”
Bristol’s draw always tends to be time in the pool, a bit of ping pong and the dorms where the teams stay overnight. The boys will certainly spend their share of time exploring the Little League complex, but Luca Martinelli just wants it to be gameday.
“All of my friends are going to be there and I’m excited for that,” Martinelli said. “It’s going to be a great time, sometimes it might get chaotic, but I really love the game. I love the sport and I think we’re going to have a great time.”
“They’re already claiming top bunks and all of that good stuff,” Greene said. “But we’ve emphasized that we’re there to do a job. We’re there to play baseball and we’re there to win some games.”
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If Lincoln wins on Saturday, it’ll play the winner of Connecticut-New Jersey on Monday afternoon. If the Rhode Island boys lose in Game 1, it’s a quick turnaround to Sunday night for an elimination contest. The championship, if Lincoln were to make it that far, is slated for Friday, Aug. 14.
Whatever this next week may hold for Lincoln, it is heading into the regional tournament knowing it has a strong support system behind it.
“I told the team that if they go on a run, the town will get behind them,” Greene said. “This town loves its baseball. I compare it to a small town in Texas that loves football. That’s how we are with baseball in Lincoln.”
How to watch Lincoln at the Metro Regional
Lincoln’s first game at the Metro Regional is streamed on ESPN+. First pitch against New York is set for 4 p.m.
When was the last time Lincoln won the Rhode Island State Tournament?
Lincoln captured the 2013 state crown and reached the New England Regional final in Bristol. Lincoln lost to Connecticut, 1-0, in the championship.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Lincoln Little League Baseball receives warm sendoff before regionals
Continue reading...
