North Reading will host 2017 state Little League championships

Published in the March 31, 2016 edition

NORTH READING TO HOST. North Reading Little League president Eddie Madden (left) is congratulated by Massachusetts Little League Board member John Berardi following the announcement that North Reading had been awarded the 2017 State Championships. The event will bring Massachusetts’ top 12–year–old all-star baseball teams to Benevento Memorial Fields next July. (Courtesy Photo)

NORTH READING — The North Reading Little League has long been recognized as having one of the best youth baseball programs in the state. Now the state’s best will be coming to North Reading.

Last week, the Massachusetts Little League District Administrators announced that North Reading has been selected to host the 2017 State Championships. The week–long tournament will bring together the state’s four best 12–year–old all–star teams, with the victor going on to represent the commonwealth in the New England Championships in Bristol, Conn. That winner then advances to Williamsport, Pa., to compete in the popular Little League World Series.

“This is a testament to the strength of our program and the dedication of our Board of Directors,” said NRLL president Eddie Madden. “This was a competitive selection process – multiple Little League programs across the state were vying to win the right to host this prestigious event. It’s the first time in almost four decades that a league from District 13 has been selected to host the state championship.

“There will be numerous corporate sponsors represented during the tournament,” Madden added. “And it will be an excellent opportunity for the area business community.”

The championships will take place at Benevento Memorial Fields in mid–to-late July of next year, with the actual dates dependent on the Williamsport schedule. Beverly and Lynn Wyoma have hosted the last two state tournaments and Westwood will be the site for the 2016 championships.

Prior to making their decision, state administrators toured Benevento and were impressed by the quality of its fields and its amenities, as well as other planned facility improvements.

“We are very excited to have the 2017 Little League State Championship hosted in District 13,” said District Administrator and Massachusetts Little League Board member John Berardi. “North Reading is only the third league in our District to be selected as the Tournament host, joining Wakefield (1978) and Woburn (1952-57).

“Along with their facilities, one of the main elements supporting their bid are their League volunteers. North Reading Little League continues to have a very strong core group who have shown their ability to host by taking on our Sectional and Jimmy Fund tournaments for several years,” Berardi added. “The State Finals are a challenge for any host but I am fully confident that North Reading will make the 2017 event a success.”

Madden is eager for that challenge.

“We are looking forward to working with our partners in the Parks and Recreation Department to make sure that Benevento continues to be the premier Little League complex in the area,” he said. “And we’ll also be working with a wide variety of the town’s departments to ensure that all of our fans and players are safe and able to enjoy the festivities for the entire week. We’ve already begun planning for the tournament and are working on a number of improvements and initiatives.”

Massachusetts Little League is divided into 16 districts, which each crowning a champion that then plays in one of the four sectional tournaments. Sectional champions then compete for the state title. North Reading has hosted numerous District and Sectional tournaments in recent years, including last year’s 12–year–old Sectional Championships.

“We have a rich baseball tradition here in North Reading and being awarded this tournament means that this tradition is being recognized across the entire state,” said Madden.

More immediately, North Reading Little League is preparing for the 2016 season. More than 400 boys and girls, ages 4-16, have already signed up to play this spring, with registration ongoing. Opening Day is set for Saturday, April 9, at Benevento Fields.

For more information on North Reading Little League, the state championships and to sign up to play this spring, visit www.nrll.org.