'I think the biggest thing they learned is how to work with each other and rely on each other,' says manager Steve Detonnancourt..
The Rhode Island state champion Burrillville Little League baseball team’s run is over, but the team leaves Bristol, Connecticut, with a big milestone to look back on.
Burrillville lost to New Jersey’s Jackson Holbrook Little League squad, 15-0, on Sunday, Aug. 3. It was their second loss in the Metro Regional, double-elimination tournament. Despite the loss, Burrillville manager Steve Detonnancourt looked back on the experience in a positive light.
“It was incredible,” Detonnancourt said on Monday, Aug. 4. “Great for our Little League, great for our team. It was a tough weekend, obviously, but to be there and get these kids on ESPN and win the first state [title] in 53 years is no short of an accomplishment. We’re just very proud and grateful that we had the opportunity to go do it.”
As Detonnancourt mentioned, Burrillville made history. The 53-year mark was one players were well aware of throughout the state tournament, with the manager being sure to let the kids know what they were playing for.
The kids were excited to be on ESPN, so getting to the Metro Regional in Connecticut, was an accomplishment in itself. It gave them a chance to not just continue to play together, but also grow.
“Even though it didn’t go as we hoped and certain things fell into place they remained proud as a unit,” Detonnancourt said. “The run had to end at some point — whether it was later in the week or down the road. We knew that there was going to be an end, whether it was with winning or losing.”
Despite the disappointing ending, Burrillville quickly began reflecting on its special season. Nearly winning out in the last two months, three 10-run performances and strong pitching throughout — the unit dominated en route to representing the state in Bristol.
Detonnancourt told his team to “be proud” and “think about all that they did, not what they didn’t do.” It’s one of the many lessons the Little Leaguers learned during their run.
“A lot of our games were won just by playing as a unit and creating that team instead of just worrying about your average and your stats,” Detonnancourt said. “I think the biggest thing they learned is how to work with each other and rely on each other.”
Though the team is done hitting the diamond for the season, Detonnancourt and his crew have events planned to celebrate the squad’s accomplishments in the near future. Even without the win-loss record, Detonnancourt said it was "incredible" to see his team never quit.
That fight is exactly what helped the Burrillville Little League team come together and leave their mark on Rhode Island Little League baseball history.
“Sixty-five hundered teams started this tournament, 900 on the East Coast alone. And they were down to the final 12 out of those 900 and the final 50 in some capacity out of the 6,500,” Detonnancourt said. “That’s a hell of a run.”
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Burrillville Little League eliminated, cherishes special season
Category: General Sports
