Photo credit – James Haupt
In 2023, St. James-Smithtown Little League (SJSLL) hosted its first New York State Little League Softball Championship Tournament. The tournament winner, Massapequa, became the first-ever Little League World Series champion from New York.
Now, in its second year running, St. James-Smithtown Little League had big shoes to fill.
This past Monday, July 8, the opening ceremony of the 2024 New York State Little League tournament kicked off an exciting weekend of softball. The event occurred at Veterans Memorial Park on its newly constructed turf field.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for not only our organization, but the Town of Smithtown to showcase our incredible community to New Yorkers across the state,” said SJSLL President Rich Tomitz. “We are incredibly appreciative of the tremendous support from our local officials – specifically Supervisor Edward Wehrheim, who got these fields renovated specifically to welcome this tournament – New York Little League District 35, Little League International, and our own board of directors in helping in our pursuit to bring this tournament to our hometown for the second year in a row.
The Town showed off the finished Field 4, boasting a ninety-foot synthetic turf infield and a sod outfield with a state-of-the-art irrigation system. The renovations also included a brand-new dugout, masonry work, retaining walls, a backstop with power for announcers and entertainment, new outfield fencing, and bleachers.
Field 4 is the second field to receive renovations at Veterans Memorial Park. Field 5 was renovated in autumn 2022.Field Five was named in memory of the founder of the St. James-Smithtown Little League and WWII hero James E. Dowling.
Both parks are within regulation guidelines for tournaments and little league games.
With Field 4 and 5 completed, the Moriches/Veterans Memorial Park now has a full slate of renovated amenities, including new turf fields at the soccer complex, a soft splash pad the waterpark, state-of-the-art playgrounds, an interactive playhouse, pickle ball conversions at the tennis courts, an LED user-friendly crosswalk, concrete sidewalks, new landscaping, and new fences to surround the play areas.
The beautiful new complex only added to what was an amazing event that incorporated family-oriented entertainment, music, and live-streaming courtesy of GT Party Entertainment LTD. Players, coaches, family members, and other spectators enjoyed bounce houses, refreshments, awards, and welcoming remarks from local leaders and elected officials.
“This is a tremendous occasion for the Town of Smithtown at large and of course, all of our young and talented athletes who will play for the title of champions,” said Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park), who spoke at the ceremony. “I would like to applaud Rich Tomitz, the Board of Directors, and the families of St. James-Smithtown Little League for all their hard work and commitment in securing the State Tournament to take place in our hometown for the second year running. In addition to welcoming families from across New York to Smithtown, this tournament is a great benefit to our local shops, dining establishments, and our community. This is a family-oriented town, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome hundreds of families with open arms.”
This tournament is annually held for youth playing in 10U, 11U, and 12U age groups. The winner of the 12U division bracket will advance to the Mid-Atlantic regional tournament for a chance to compete in the 2024 Little League Softball World Series in Greenville, South Carolina, in August.
This year’s division champions are Cornwall, Fayetteville-Manlius, Fredonia, Massapequa International, North Shore, South Shore, and the Wappingers Falls Little Leagues. The seven competing teams were introduced as they walked across the field and lined up in the infield. Each team had to win their respective tournaments to qualify for the State Tournament.
Although St. James-Smithtown Little League wasn’t in the tournament, it celebrated one of its own during the event. The league honored former Smithtown Bulls 12U pitcher, Isabella Russo. She is also the daughter of Peter Russo, the VP of the softball league.
Russo took part in this tournament last year and despite her team losing, she played exceptionally well, recording a 3-0 record in the tournament. Russo was also honored for her efforts off the field. She was given the opportunity to say a few words.
“The overall experience of being a little leaguer is what I’ll cherish the most,” said Russo. “Your coaches say to take advantage of the time you have because you’ll never know when you’ll be done. And for all the players out there, I would give anything to have a couple more innings back on the mound during this week’s tournament.”
Massapequa, the reigning champs, were also given a special award ceremony during the event to honor the first LLWS title for the state of New York. Board members of Little League International handed out the awards along with the team’s coaches.
As the ceremony came to a close the audience applauded and prepared for the first game which would take place at 2:30. The tournament winner will be crowned on July 12 in the championship game. The St. James-Smithtown Little League hopes to honor yet another LLWS Champion next year when they host the tournament again.
