NEWTOWN, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A Bucks County Little League team is one game away from making it to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The players are trying to stay focused amid all the excitement.
“We haven’t done what we want to do yet. We still have a goal in mind just getting to Williamsport,” said Brayden Peiffer, who plays shortstop and pitches for the Council Rock Newtown Little League 12-year-old all-star team.
“I’m feeling good. I’m happy. It’s a lot of other kids’ dreams to be here. So I’m pretty happy that we’re here.”
Dean Hamilton also pitches and plays second base for the team. He says he’s able to keep his mind on the game despite all of the attention.
“It’s been very exciting and fun, but also some nerves,” Dean said. “Some pressure, but once you get playing, it gets better.”
They beat Washington, D.C., 13-1 and Maryland 11-1 this week, earning a spot in the Mid-Atlantic Region Championship game on Friday.
Dean’s father, Brad Hamilton, is the manager of the team. He says the players are trying to enjoy themselves while staying focused.
“They right now are just living their best life, being little baseball stars around here and waiting for their turn to go back out in the field and hopefully be able to complete it,” Hamilton said.
“We’re trying to have fun outside the game. And the motto is ‘Once between the white lines, you’re focused and you’re baseball players.’”
Hamilton says the players’ parents are ecstatic.
“Parents are the ones trying to get from work to a practice field … trying to pick them up on time. And you can see the pure joy with them right now with what their boys are doing,” he said.
“They bring such spirit to the boys and they’re in the stands and they’re the first ones at the stadium they’re just so excited.”
The team heads into the championship with a 17-game win streak.