District 19 is home to some of the most competitive baseball in the state of Pennsylvania. Every year, our baseball program competes for District and State Championships, Eastern Region Finals and ultimately the International World Series.
This summer is especially exciting for Newtown Edgmont Little League because the Pennsylvania Little League Baseball State Championship tournament will take place on our home fields July 25th-31st. The last time NELL was chosen to host this prestigious event was in 1996 when Upper Darby defeated Warrington to earn a spot in the tournament bracket.
The tournament is part of the Little League journey. The tournament, for 11- and 12-year-old players, will bring the top eight teams in the state to NELL. The champion of this series will be crowned on NELL’s Field 1 in early August and advance to the Mid-Atlantic Regionals with the ultimate goal of making it to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.
“NELL’s nomination and selection by Little League to host the PA State Tournament is a great honor and responsibility,” explained NELL President Daren Grande. “We recognize that this coveted position would not be possible without the unwavering support and volunteer spirit that has surrounded this organization for the past 70 years.” The tournament will kick off with an opening ceremony on July 25th. Former Major League player, and current Philadelphia Phillies Color Commentator, Ben Davis will be the keynote speaker at the event which includes player packet distribution, meet and greet opportunities and catering by Luigi & Giovanni’s.
If you have been to the NELL complex lately, you have noticed that the Board and volunteers have spent the past three years doing extensive renovations. “We completed a major and much-needed renovation to give our players a top-notch experience while also preparing for the tournament,” he said. “We have a new snack bar and new bathrooms, new dugouts and field improvements!” Such improvements include a complete overhaul of Field 1 with new fencing, scoreboard, backstop and renovations to the Peterson Building that sits behind home plate.
Having Little League neighbors from all over Pennsylvania descend into NELL’s complex for the PA State Tournament gave the Board and volunteers another reason to push forward with improvements. Daren said they expect a few thousand people to visit the complex during the week-long tournament.
Visitors who have come to NELL in the past have always been amazed by the complex, which offers a memorable experience for players and families. It’s an impressive layout of eight meticulously maintained fields, six outdoor batting cages, a 15,000-square-foot indoor facility, a snack bar that rivals area restaurants, and plenty of on-site parking. The community is encouraged to come to the tournament, enjoy a few games and show support for our Newtown Edgmont Little League players and their families. For more information, visit www.NELLBaseball.com.
