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Little Leaguers Celebrate Huge Year

Hundreds of friends and family members arrived Saturday at the Fairfield Museum & History Center to honor Fairfield American Little League's four state and regional championship teams in a parade down the Old Post Road. But for the 11-12 All Stars that just returned from the Little League World Series, the attention was nothing new.

"When they were up in Bristol at regionals, ESPN was there, NESN was there, so they already got a taste of the press asking them questions," said Mary Nardone, who just returned from Williamsport, Pa., with her son Nick. "So they got used to it, and now I think they enjoy it."

Four groups of Fairfield American All-Stars took titles this summer. The 9-10-year-old baseball team won the New England Regional tournament, the highest level for their age group. The 10-11-year-old boys and 9-10-year-old girls softball teams also earned state championships. And the 11-12 All Stars returned Thursday from Williamsport, where they were one of the last 12 teams left before losing to Auburn, Wash., in the elimination game.

State Reps. Thomas Drew, Kim Fawcett and Tony Hwang joined state Sen. John McKinney in bringing commendations from the state General Assembly to all four groups and a citation from Gov. M. Jodi Rell for the 11-12 All Stars. U.S. Rep. Jim Himes stopped by with a Congressional citation. The Board of Selectmen gave coaches Steve Schwartz and Chris Daley the keys to the town.

"All four of these teams exemplify what's great about Fairfield's kids—their sportsmanship, and their sense of fair play," Hwang said.

Fairfield is the second town in Little League history to win state baseball titles in all three age groups. Jim Meyers's son Chris was one of the champion 10-year-olds. He said the team could repeat.

"If they keep playing like a team, and practice together in the spring, they've got a good chance," Jim said. "If the kids stay together, and the coaches stay with them."

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