ITEM PHOTO BY KATIE MORRISON
Danny Lilja is one of four Pine Hill players on the Lynn Babe Ruth team.
By HAROLD RIVERA
LYNN — For the Lynn 15-year-old Babe Ruth All-Stars, this season has been all about making history.
When they arrive in Williston, N.D., for the Babe Ruth World Series, they will represent the City of Lynn in every sense of the word.
With players from all five of Lynn’s Little Leagues on the roster, manager Leon Elwell’s team strongly reflects the level of baseball talent the city has to offer.
Sean Leydon, one of the coaching assistants, said the team does a good in job in representing the five leagues.
“We’ve got one player from East Lynn, one from West Lynn, four from Pine Hill, two from Lynn Shore and seven from Wyoma,” Leydon said. “It’s great. The kids all come together well.”
Leydon, whose son Aedan plays on the team, said the players have grasped a sense of tradition within Babe Ruth baseball in Lynn.
“I think they recognize that to a point,” Leydon said. “I think they’ll recognize it more when they’re my age, looking back. They understand Lynn’ on the front of the shirt and they want to represent Lynn. They understand the rich tradition of baseball and all sports in Lynn.”
Ryan Boiselle, former President of East Lynn Little League, said the All-Star team reflects both the talent level and the hard work that takes place behind the scenes in running the leagues.
“I think this is just a testament that Lynn still has five leagues,” Boiselle said. “When I was president of East Lynn three years ago, we worked really hard at trying to keep our numbers up so Lynn could continue to have five leagues. Once you go to Babe Ruth it’s all one. Now they all have ‘Lynn’ across their chest.”
Boiselle, whose son Luke plays on the team, also mentioned that the success the All-Stars have had this season speaks volumes on the coaching they’ve received in the little leagues they played for prior to Babe Ruth.
“I think what everyone’s mission should be is to teach the game of baseball so that kids can move on to the next level,” Boiselle said. “You’re going to see these kids continue to play for their high school teams because they love to play ball.”
Jill Avery, President of Pine Hill Little League, said her league tries to keep kids engaged in their love for baseball.
“Every year, whether it’s opening day or at the banquets, I’ve told them this is their home,” Avery said. “And they’re always welcome back here and they do come back. And it’s great to see them around. It’s great to see for our kids, who have always been great kids, and who have great parents, developing athletically. We’re so proud of them.”
Avery added that the ride to the World Series is a special opportunity for the players and everyone who’s been involved with the team.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” Avery said. “It doesn’t happen to everybody. Some of them have younger siblings, and hopefully they can get the opportunity too. But it doesn’t happen very often. It’s great that these kids are on this journey.”
Dan Gisonno, former President of Pine Hill, said the team is a great example of how successful Lynn can be when the city comes together.
“I think they’re a perfect example of what Lynn can do together,” Gisonno said. “The leagues have all won their championships in the past. This speaks a lot for the city, the different venues, the different coaches. Look what they do when they all get together.”
Gisonno, whose son Matt plays on the team, also mentioned that the All-Stars serve as a good example for their younger peers in the city.
“These are different kids from different leagues and different parts of the city,” Gisonno said. “And if you see them, they’re always together.”
He added, “We only get this ride once and we’re going to enjoy it to the fullest. I couldn’t be prouder of these kids. It shows the younger kids in the city that there’s something to shoot for.”
Players and their leagues are as follows: Wyoma: Christian Burt, Zach Elwell, David Barnard, Anthony Nikolakakis, James Wilkins, Brett Bucklin and A.J. Luciano; Pine Hill: Danny Lilja, Kevin Durant, Michael Leavitt and Matt Gisonno; Lynn Shore: Dayshon Anderson and Erick Ubri; East Lynn: Luke Boiselle; West Lynn American: Aedan Leydon.