'One of the Nicest Fields in the State' Hosting Regional Tournament

Newtown didn't come out on top against Cranston, RI, as the first day of the 15U Babe Ruth New England Regional wrapped up. But the first day of the week-long tournament, hosted at Fairfield Hills, was a great day for Newtown nonetheless.

Before the game, Morgan Melillo accompanied First Selectman Pat Llodra to the mound to throw out the first pitch -- Llodra, scheduled to perform the honors, is recovering from a torn rotator.

"It felt a lot farther than I thought it would be!" said Melillo afterwards. 

Melillo serves as bat girl for the team, plays baseball and softball herself, and her brother Mason is the team's starting pitcher.

"She's the right person to do it," a grateful Llodra said after the pitch. "She loves baseball and softball."

The game didn't go as well. Cranston won 11-8, but Newtown had some shining moments, including David Matthews' 400-foot, three-run homer.

"It might be the first home run ever for a 15-year-old in this field," said Newtown Baseball vice-president and tournament director Dan Parker.

Newtown's 15U division -- managed by Ed Brady with assistant coaches Bob Elias and Tim Doyle -- finished second in the Connecticut state tournament this year.

Parker says parents have volunteered an unusually large amount of time to get the field ready for the tournament: while Parks and Recreation handles sweeping and cleaning fields after the first game, Newtown parents are handling the jobs themselves for every other game.

"This is one of the nicest fields for high school players in the state," said Parker.

Cranston will face Norwalk August 4 at 12:00 p.m. The tournament continues through August 10.