The Levittown Panthers Baseball League sent their 13- and 14-year-old travel teams down to Myrtle Beach, SC for the Triple Crown Eastern Regional Finals held July 31 through Aug. 3.

Chris D'Arpa won the home run competition for the 13-year-olds with a whopping 385-foot home run; the longest of the competition. Travis Ratliff of the 14-year-old team won first place in the pitching competition, pitching accurately at 77 miles an hour.

The 13-year-olds went 2-1 in their division, giving up only six runs in three games, placing them in the Gold bracket for the playoffs. Beating teams from Jacksonville, FL (12-0) and Georgia (6-3), the Panthers earned the respect of the other teams on the field and off. The boys played impressively for their first tournament.

Congratulations to players Chris D'Arpa, Bryan Grubb, Bryan Herold, Mike Inglese, Keith Konetsky, Michael Lagalante, Jimmy Marra, Stephen McNamara, Matt Mege, Jamey Murphy, Anthony Nappi, John Nizinski, Matt Schneider, Tom Tintle, Mike Vivelo, manager Kenny Nizinski, coaches Chris D'Arpa, Mike Lagalante and Steve McNamara.

Playoffs for the NJBL summer league were under way as soon as the boys returned from Myrtle Beach. With a record of 15-5, we were the team to beat. The Panthers' amazing pitching, fielding and hitting proved to be no match for the teams they played in the playoffs. The 13-year-old team won the championship, beating the Plainedge Red Devils in a best of three series in two games.

The Panther organization would like to thank our coaches, parents and players for their dedication and hard work, and a big thanks to our sponsors for all their support.

The 14-year-old Panther team won their division title in the Connie Mac Summer League. The boys played impressively all season long, with a record of 15-9. Congratulations to players Thomas Adair, Joe Alberti, Anthony Alvino, Bryan Arzberger, Rob Centonze, T.J. Crosby, James Guzikowski, Ryan Hayes, Danny Karcher, Matt Mancz, Joey Melendez, Adam Montvilo, Kenny Nizinski, Travis Ratliff, Scott Renda, Chris Sanabria, James Sanacore, Kevin Spiers and Mike Surdo, manager Kenny Nizinski and coach Rich Melendez.

The Panther organization is proud to welcome the addition of two new teams to our league. With the addition of a 10-year-old team and an 11-year-old team this fall, the Panthers are making a name for themselves in the NJBL and Connie Mac leagues.

The 11-year-old Panther team, led by coach Bill Linnehan, won their first tournament ever played as a Panther team. The boys entered a three-day Labor Day tournament in Holbrook and beat Farmingdale in the championship game 5-0. Congratulations on your first of many wins as Panthers.

Cap: The Levittown Panthers