History was made for Levittown West Little League this past weekend when their 11/12-year-old Williamsport team competed for the NY State title. They won their first game at the State level against Bayside, New York City's District winner, by a score of 4-2. This is the first time in 13 years that West went on to compete at the State level and the first time in the 53-year history of the League that West won a game at the State level.

Levittown West was one of four final teams competing in the State finals. Besides Bayside the other teams were Vestal and Ramapo. Bayside was eliminated Sunday when they lost to Vestal. On Sunday, West lost to a tough Ramapo team by a score of 14-1. With only three teams left in all of NY State, West needed to win their next three consecutive games, the first against Vestal and two against Ramapo, to win the State title. Unfortunately, West fell to Vestal on Monday night by a score of 5-3 in 9 innings. West leaves the State tournament with their heads held high knowing that they had more success than any other team in Levittown West Little League's history.

The road to the State finals was exciting. First, Levittown had to win the District 32 title. Glen Cove was their first competitor. Levittown won by a score of 10-0, placing them in the winner's bracket. Next game against a historically tough East Meadow team put Levittown on top by a score of 3-1. Plainview fell victim to Levittown losing 9-4. The final game to win District pitted Hicksville against Levittown. Hicksville had one loss and needed to beat Levittown twice to win the District title. They were unable to do that. Levittown run-ruled Hicksville 13-3 in five innings. For the first time in 10 years, Levittown West won the District 32 Title.

Single elimination games against other District winners from LI were next for the team. Garden City and Massapequa Coast were both eliminated by Levittown by scores of 4-2 and 5-2, respectively. The final game for LI Championship was played in Plainview against Commack South. Playing under enormous pressure, Levittown won the LI Championship defeating Commack in a nail biter by a score of 3-2.

The Levittown West 11/12 year old Williamsport players are:

Chris Baldi

Paul Bischoff

Kevin Chenicek

Kerry Connolly

Chris Gallina

Steven Lander

Andrew Licul

Kevin Licul

Kyle Lutz

Erik Pedersen

Matthew Schneider

Frankie Vanderka

Manager: Bob Bischoff, Coaches: Gino Licul and Elliot Lander

Alternate players are: Sean Brennan, Ralph Mirabella and Brian Trumpy

Of the team Glen Brannigan, Levittown West's board president, said, "I am so proud of our 11/12-year-old Williamsport team and their coaching staff. It's been a long time since we had this much excitement at Levittown West. The players, parents and coaching staff have shown so much class in the way they have represented our league."

Many of the players have been together for a number of years playing in Sunday double-headers and out of state tournaments coached by Bob and Gino whose dedication helped to make this dream come true. The team also had much support from the community including West's board members, present and past families within the league, neighbors, friends, Kate Murray who threw out the first pitch in the LI Championship game and coaches and teachers from Wisdom Lane Middle School and Division Avenue High School who attended the games. The support West received from these people was priceless.

Yes, this team from Levittown made history, but they accomplished much more than that on their quest for the State Championship, they warmed the hearts of their parents, and the league and district that they so proudly served.