RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Metro's Boden Dunlap (19) and Dante Madera celebrate after Madera scores Metro's only run of the game during a Little League World Series game at Lamade Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. Metro won 1-0.

A Fairfield, Connecticut team had played before at the Little League World Series. Three times to be exact.

Just not the Fairfield National Little League–until now.

After watching Fairfield American League represent Connecticut and the New England Region at the 2010, 2012 and 2017 Series, it is Fairfield National which now basks in the spotlight. Fairfield National has come bursting out of the shadows and now stands as one of the world’s top 20 Little League teams after capturing both its first state and regional championships.

Fairfield National made its Series debut Thursday when it played Irmo, South Carolina at Lamade Stadium.

“The work that goes into this and preparing for something like this is incredible and for them to finally get this is so overwhelming. It brought so much emotion to everyone watching and it’s so awesome to see,” Fairfield National Little League president Diego De Lan said. “Our sister Little League made it three times and our district coordinator said we are the last Fairfield County team from the district to make it to Williamsport, so that brought even more emotion.”

They are all positive emotions these days. Fairfield National has come out of the cold and felt the warmth of ultimate victory at last. It entered the Series 16-1 this summer, avenging its only defeat with a dominant, 12-1 Metro Region championship victory against New York.

It’s not like Fairfield National struggled before. It just so often ran into tremendous teams, specifically the one in its own family. While Fairfield American was winning five state championships last decade, it often eliminated National along the way.

Extended all-star runs seemed like they were just for Fairfield American until this current group came along and changed everything. This breakthrough not only means the world to those players and coaches, but those who have volunteered throughout the league over the years. The drought is over and Fairfield National has flooded the summer field with victories.

“These particular kids have been together for a while and they are finally getting a chance to showcase their stuff,” De Lan said. “We had to go through a gauntlet of tough teams in the state and in regionals. They’ve had so much success over the years and it’s all come together and they’ve shown the state, and really the region now, what they are all about.

“They wanted to put Fairfield National on the map and they did it. It’s nice to see them step out of the shadows and make names for themselves.”

Each individual has come together to make this team one of the world’s biggest winners. Fairfield National never lost a Connecticut all-star game in three years, going an amazing 40-0, while winning three straight state championships. This one meant the most since it was the league’s first but Fairfield just kept going and now joins previous District 2 powers like Fairfield American, 1989 world champion Trumbull and 2013 US finalist Westport as an all-time Connecticut Little League team.

Not that it was easy. All those wins and title banners the last two years, painted a large target on Fairfield National’s collective back. Everyone was coming after it this season, but this team neither flinched, nor grew content.

They just kept working. Everyone wants to win every game they play, but as exciting as championships in 11 and 10U were, they were not the big fish. They were more a means to end, giving the team valuable big-game experience. Everything came together this season and Fairfield reeled in that fish, writing a story which will grow fonder to all those associated with the league as the years go by.

“The momentum has been building. Ever since they were able to play postseason stuff within Little League tournaments, they started playing well and they’ve worked hard at it,” De Lan said. “They knew what they were capable of and playing well at this level. This is what the goal is. The goal was to get here and they built momentum and have taken advantage of it.

“They’ve earned the right to be here.”

They certainly have. Iron sharpens iron, so Fairfield American has helped bring out National’s best the way National did for it last decade. And while this is a rivalry which often attracts big crowds both American and National are now one.

This is the community’s team and, whether one is affiliated with American or National, they are all team Connecticut.

“They push each other but they support each other,” De Lan said. “Fairfield American fans are in the crowds cheering us on and sending us messages of support. They have our backs. It’s a sign of respect. Now National and American are connected.”

In the grand scheme of things what both leagues have done throughout the 21st century is remarkable. They have now made four Series appearances since 2010. It speaks volumes about the quality of the baseball being played and coaching provided throughout Fairfield.

Fairfield American has had its days in the sun and may again. For now, though, National commands center stage. Who knows if there will be an encore in the future. It really does not matter.

This is Fairfield National’s time. And it’s a time this team, nor its supporters will ever forget.

“They’ll look back 10-15 years from now and remember the summer of ’25 and remember when they went to the Little League World Series and other communities will remember it. That’s what I want the kids to remember,” De Lan said. “This league has been in existence sine the 50s, so pause, look around, see what it’s going on and smell the roses and appreciate what’s going on.

“What they’re doing is bigger than baseball.”