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Peabody Little Leaguers enjoy a day in Williamsport

E-mail|Link|Comments () August 20, 2009 10:00 PM

Ralph Wilson/AP

The Peabody players rode on their float in the parade.

By Brian R. Ballou, Globe Staff

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - The Peabody Western All-Star Little Leaguers were the toast of the town Thursday evening along with 15 other teams from throughout the world, here to compete in the 2009 Little League World Series.

After a barbecue, the teams dressed in their game uniforms, hopped on a flatbed float, and were driven past thousands of onlookers lining the city’s main downtown street. The Peabody players, wearing maroon jerseys and matching caps, waved vigorously as they passed their parents and hometown fans who had made the seven-hour drive from Peabody to Williamsport. The parents snapped pictures, yelled back, and hugged each other with pride as the float passed by slowly.

“Wow, I’m so proud of all of them,’’ said Carla McGrath, whose 13-year-old son, Sean, plays left field. McGrath, as well as most of the Peabody contingent, wore a bright white T-shirt with the team’s name on the front and his name on the back.

Elected officials, soldiers in military vehicles, and high school bands preceded the floats. The parade had the feel of a summer fair, with food booths and game stands set up on side streets.

But the main attractions were the players, who enjoyed a day of mostly relaxation before heading into competition Thursday evening. Peabody, referred to mostly as the New England Region Champions around the spacious Little League Complex in South Williamsport, not far from downtown, will face the Southwest Region Champions Friday night. The game will be televised on ESPN.

There are eight teams from throughout the United States and eight international teams in the World Series tournament that will run through Aug. 30.

Each team is guaranteed three games. Peabody is also scheduled to play Sunday and Tuesday.

After stepping off the float and before boarding a bus to take them back to their dorms at the Little League Complex, the players reflected on the experience so far.

“It really makes you feel great to see all that support,’’ said Austin Batchelor. Other players gave one-word responses, such as “Awesome,’’ and “Cool.’’

The parents left Peabody early Thursday morning, forming a five-vehicle caravan toward Williamsport. By early afternoon, they had arrived and settled into their hotels. From there, some families visited the Little League Complex, where the playing fields are located, along with the Little League Headquarters and Museum.

“This place is excellent,” said Phil Gonick, father of player Matt Gonick, who drove his family to the event. “Matt is a man of few words, but he was very excited about being here. For him just to say awesome, that means a lot. Hopefully they will enjoy this, because I think when they return to Peabody and play at our fields again, it will not be the same.”

As for his thoughts on the team’s chances in the tournament, Gonick said, “I’ve heard some of the teams have really big players, but our guys, nothing seems to faze them. We have great hitters from top to bottom. I’m biased, of course, but I think we’ll do well.”

David Batchelor, the manager of the team, said despite all the distractions such as the interviews, the freebies, and rubbing elbows with celebrities, the players have remained concentrated on the task at hand.

“Oh, they’re focused,’’ said Batchelor, who is Austin’s father.

The dozen Peabody boys on the team have not been home since Aug. 12, when they departed Peabody to compete in the New England Regional Championships in Bristol, Conn.

"They're like rock stars now,'' said Dave Cravotta, president of the Peabody Little League.