Little League Softball Team From New York Makes History

The Little League Softball World Series has been going strong since 1974. The August championship, for girls ages 10 - 12, is held each year at Stallings Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina. Through the decades, the crowned teams have mostly come from states known for softball powerhouses, like Texas and Florida. However, 2023 was different.

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For the first time in the LLSWS history, the winning team has come from the state of New York. The 12u softball team from Massapequa on Long Island defeated North Carolina on Sunday 5 -2, to capture the Empire State's first Little League Softball title.

New York's coach Rich Eaton told newsday.com that pitching was the key to their championship run.“These are the most steady pitchers I’ve ever (coached),” Eaton explained. “I think they walked 16 people in 19 games, something like that. If they walk someone, that’s it. You never see another (walk). They never get flustered. They always keep you in the game.”.

12-year old starting pitcher Alexis Fontana said her team was confident. "(It) was very exciting knowing my team was going to push through and do this. I knew Liv was going to throw strikes like usual and we were just going to make plays.” That appeared to be the winning formula for New York's first LLSWS title.

Fontana summed it up this way to Brendan O'Sullivan of newsday.com, “It all just feels like a dream right now. It doesn’t feel like it actually happened. But at the same time, we’re so excited knowing that it really did happen and that we’re World Series champions.” Congratulations to Massapequa 12u Softball and thanks for bringing the title to New York!