East Side LL writing best story its league has ever told, on and off field
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Following a section championship victory last month, East Side Little Leaguers noticed a Just in Power Kids representative.
Celebratory vibes turned into deep thoughts. A parent made a donation to the organization which raises money for Maryland families facing Childhood Cancer. A bond was formed right there and those East Side all-stars from West Chester, Pennsylvania have kept promoting the cause since that encounter.
"We've been following along with them and going back and forth. It's pretty amazing," East Side Little League president and coach Matt DeGiulio said. "The kids have used their platform to do something bigger than themselves. You learn life lessons throughout this and they thought, 'How can I use what;s been given to me and my good fortune to help others?' When I sit down and look back at this summer, that's one of the things I'm most proud of."
Seeing young kids developing into strong, young adults is something exciting all those affiliated with the league. So, too, is reaching the Little League World Series.
East Side is at the Series for the first time and made its debut Friday night at Lamade Stadium. But it's that affiliation with Just in Power Kids, which best highlights the growth this team has made over the years. It is reflected on the field when looking at how this team plays, too.
"They all have done some great things to help us get here. Whether it's a big hit or moving the runner or making a play, they all have played well and embraced their roles," East Side manager Bob Hennessey said. "They don't care where they are playing or where they are in the order. They just all play well together and bring out the best in each other."
Doing so made East Side the state's and Mid-Atlantic Region's best team. No American team played more games than East Side on its way to South Williamsport and only Boerne, Texas equaled that 17-game total. The tests have been many, but East Side has aced them, avenging its lone defeat with a two-game state championship sweep against Blue Mountain.
This is the culmination of four years of growth. Ryan Hennessey, Ryan Donnelly, Cole Warner, Colton DiGrazio, Darren Molineaux, Dillon DiGiulio and James Martin joined forces at 8U. Other players were added along the way and a historic puzzle was completed. Its work with Just in Power Kids highlights, the team's personal growth, but the field is the canvas upon which East Side has exhibited its athletic growth.
"I think they're a mature team. They're all unselfish and there's a lot of selflessness," Hennessey said. "They are all in to win and really don't care about individual statistics or anything like that. If one guy gets out, he is in there cheering for the next hitter. That says a lot about them."
"They play for each other and none of them are selfish. That's what you'll see in Williamsport," DiGiulio said. "They just buy into that one-team mentality. From being involved with baseball for a long time over the years, I can say this is one of the deepest teams I've seen. They are all there for each other."
Since that first all-star run four years ago, strides were made each all-star season. A winning formula was developed and East Side players understood they had something special going last summer when they won the 11U state championship. That did not guarantee future success, but it was a launching pad.
An already competitive team grew hungrier and the work continued. A shot at history beckoned and East Side fired its best one. These are young players and the growth continues, but as far as Little League goes, they have checked every box there is.
"I think that state title was definitely a motivating factor for them. I think it showed them what they were capable of," Hennessey said. "It kind of showed them what to expect. We played some fantastic teams and got to see some great pitchers. I think it gave them confidence knowing they could win at that level and know what they would be up against the next year."
As this year has progressed, 12 players continued evolving into one. That shines through not just in how East Side conducts itself and operates as a family but through the collective performance. Ten of 12 players have hit home runs this all-star season and all have made huge impacts. As a team, East Side was hitting .366 entering the Series and pitchers had compiled a 1.88 ERA. It all came together in a big way at regionals with East Side outscoring three opponents, 21-2.
The world is learning a lot about East Side now, but what it is doing this year is not a shocker to those who have watched this team over the years. Over the last three seasons, East Side is 42-4. Amazingly, it also has either outscored or equaled the opposition in run total in all but four innings.
That does not just happen because East Side has excellent players and coaches. It also speaks to the team's ability to stay poised through all the roller coaster of emotions baseball can produce. That is where all that personal growth bursts through.
"We talk to the guys all the time and say it's about focusing and being a kid and a player at the same time. It's a game you love and train for, so go out there and enjoy it," DiGiulio said. "We don't want them to make it too big. They do a remarkable job with that."
Many outside the league and outside West Chester have noticed. That includes Phillies legend Chase Utley who reached out, as well as Phillies fan favorite Bryce Harper. Utley reminded the players to work hard, enjoy the moment and leave everything on the field.
The team constantly has done that, but it never hurts when someone who could someday land in Cooperstown validates all the effort it has put forth.
"It's so cool seeing things like that,” DiGiulio said. “It means a lot to the kids and shows them how big it is what they're doing and achieving."
The only ones not completely swept up in what East Side is accomplishing seemingly are the players themselves. Everything seems to moving 100 miles per hour these days. The players are ecstatic, but it's also hard to process this journey which has gathered momentum like a freight train.
Eventually, things will slow down. And that is when East Side can really sit back and appreciate all the good it did. On and off the field, East Side wrote the best story its league has ever told.
"I don't know if it's hit any of us yet, but I think they'll always look back and have great memories and stories to share with their friends," Hennessey said. "They've done something really special and something so few can achieve. Hopefully, it's a springboard as they move on in their lives.
"It's something they will never forget."