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It is every young ballplayer's dream to make it to Cooperstown, N.Y., home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. A team of 12-year-olds from Stamford will head there Friday to begin play Sunday in a tournament on fields in the shadow of baseball's shrine.
The North Stamford Express is made up primarily of players from the North Stamford 12-year-old Little League team that won the District 1 championship. Tyrell St. John from the National Lione All-Stars and James Gronberg from Springdale will also be on the team. North Stamford manager Doug Horn will direct the team.
"We had always talked as coaches: When these guys are 12 years old, let's finish with a trip to Cooperstown,'' said Horn, whose son, Peter, played in the tournament last year for another Stamford squad. "It should be a good experience for them."
North Stamford is guaranteed six pool play games and one playoff game. Nearly 100 teams from across the country will play. The rules are different than regular Little League games. The mound is four feet farther from home plate, and the base paths are 10 feet longer. "It's like playing big league baseball,'' Horn said.
The games are just part of the fun. The other attraction is the hall, which will be new for many of the players. "I'm looking forward to playing the games and staying in the barracks," as the dormitories are called that house the players, St. John said. He said he also is eager to check out the Babe Ruth exhibit.
Grant Stone plans to seek out Ted Williams' plaque. "I want to check out Curt Schilling's bloody sock, too,'' said Grant, referring to the footwear the Red Sox pitcher wore during a 2004 playoff victory over the Yankees.
Players include Kevin Stone,Grant stone, Peter Horn,Connor Matheny, Luke Dawson, Johnny Spoto, Jeremy Benjamin, Jeff Kurzman, Eddie Meizels, Kevin Piotrzowski, Tyrell St.John and James Gronberg. Coaches include Doug Horn, Frank Spoto, Jim Matheny and Steve Dawson.
Stamford fans can follow the team here.
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