Fans watch (and wait) at Boston Tavern as Middleboro All Stars make it to World Series
MIDDLEBORO — The watch party at the Boston Tavern on Wednesday for Middleboro's opening game in the 2022 Little League World Series turned into the wait party, as a rain delay pushed the game’s conclusion back a few hours and into the evening.
Unfortunately for the Middleboro fans, after the more than two-hour weather delay, Nolensville, Tennessee, representing the Southeast, secured a 5-3 win just before 8 p.m.
Fans of the Middleboro Little League U12 All Stars, representing New England at the LLWS in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, packed into the Boston Tavern for the 3 p.m. start to watch the game live, with every screen in the house tuned to LLWS host network ESPN.
Many young fans and fellow Little League players were in the house, most in awe of watching local kids and players they know on ESPN.
Payton Wright, a member of the Middleboro U10 National All Star team, was watching with dad Jesse Wright, and admitted to being a bit nervous watching in the early innings.
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“I think they’re amazing players, really good ball players and I’m happy for them because all of them are very nice,” Payton said.
The U10 Nationals are coming off a pretty solid season, too: “We almost won districts. I think we did pretty good.”
But the Wrights were squarely focused on supporting the U12s at the World Series on Wednesday.
“It’s really exciting and I’m just happy for them,” Payton said.
Two more young fans and Middleboro Little League players, Declan Alchorn and Jackson Newhook, were just finishing up their lunch/early dinner as the action picked up in the middle innings, resulting in a 5-3 lead for Tennessee.
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“It’s cool,” Alchorn said, summing up Middleboro's run to the World Series and the day’s game. “I’m happy for them and hope they’re having fun.”
Newhook was similarly enthused for his Middleboro Little League mates: “I’m excited. I’m surprised how they made it so far. I’m just so happy for all of them.”
“It’s amazing. I’m so happy for them. They’re just having a blast with it,” said Teresa Farley, who helped organized the watch party with Boston Tavern management.
“Just to know that all the people in town, a lot of them know these kids and their families. Some of these kids' coaches were kids back in '94, the last time Middleboro went to the World Series. It’s a nice progression for the Little League and it’s a lot of fun.”
Of course, beyond the Boston Tavern, Farley said the entire town is pulling for the team and showing their support.
“You can feel it, just being here, and everywhere... you drive around in Middleboro right now there are signs: ‘Good luck,’ ‘Go Middleboro.’ It’s all over social media. You can really feel it. It’s a lot of fun.”
Taunton Daily Gazette staff writer Jon Haglof can be reached at jhaglof@tauntongazette.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Taunton Daily Gazette today.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Boston Tavern Middleboro hosts Little League World Series watch party
