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MCLL 12-year-olds capture District 31 title The Massapequa Coast Little League 12-year-old All Star team captured its first District 31 in five years before seeing its dreams of nationally televised games in the Little League World Series in Williamsport come to an abrupt end at the hands of Commack South. The eight-team single elimination Long Island finals were held on July 21. Despite the abrupt end to the season at Deer Park's Otsego Park, Massapequa accomplished its preseason goal of winning the District 31 title giving the team of a dozen 12-year-olds bragging rights as the best team on Nassau County's South Shore. En route to the District 31 title. Massapequa posted a 10-1 win over Seaford, and a 9-3 triumph over North Bellmore before twice beating Merrick, the defending District 31 10-11 year old Little League champions, at Seaford's Seaman's Neck Park, 2-0 and 7-4, to advance to the Long Island finals. Last year Massapequa was edged by Merrick 1-0 in 7 innings and following the 2007 title-clinching win, the community's 10-11- year-old squad rushed the field to celebrate with their older peers, showcasing the support the entire little league according to head coach John Bianco. The Massapequa 10-11 year old team nearly accomplished a District 31 title of their own, before falling in the finals last week, and many of those same players will try and defend the 2007 12- year-old title next summer. "It shows the support we have within the entire league," said Bianco pointing to the excitement the younger Massapequa players felt following the District 31 title. One key ingredient toward Massapequa's title run was pitching led by Robby Hopes and Jonathan Mulford. Mulford and Hopes, along with Robert Wallace, led Massapequa as tri-captains and helped provide a positive environment with great team chemistry. Bianco said the team chemistry had spilled over off the field, with many players spending time with each other following their 9 days of practice each week, which includes double sessions on Tuesday and Friday. "The team chemistry... improved tremendously," said Bianco. "The team really gelled," said Massapequa Coast Little League parent Scott Mulford of the team chemistry in 2007. "These kids genuinely love to play with each other." While Massapequa dreamed of Williamsport in 2007, Coach Bianco knows how difficult it is to get to play on the national stage. Had Massapequa been able to capture the Long Island title, it would have advanced to the state championships in suburban Rochester in late July, where the team would have had to win that tournament and then the Mid Atlantic regional's to get the coveted trip to Williamsport in late August.The Little League World Series has been held there for over half a century, with its games broadcast on ESPN.
"If anyone thinks Williamsport is easy they're crazy," said Bianco of how many wins it takes to advance that far. Bianco said the first day of practice, the team showed determination to capture the District 31 title. He gave the entire team credit for accomplishing its goal. "It [was] an entire team effort," he said "All 12 guys contributed."
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