Fairfield National Baseball Team Receive Heroes' Welcome After Little League World Series

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield National Little League team received a hero's welcome on Monday during a parade and celebration in the team's honor for its impressive showing at the recent Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Fairfield finished with a 5-1 record, good for third place overall and second place among U.S. teams, at the international event.

"Fairfield National, we love you!" said Gov. Ned Lamont, one of several officials at Monday's celebration on Sherman Green in downtown Fairfield. "Your friends and family are here, and there were watch parties all over this state. We loved when you hit home runs, and we loved that you looked out for each other when you were down. They're a great team, aren't they?"

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal echoed those sentiments.

"I wish everyone here could see what I see, which is a beautiful picture of a community coming together," Blumenthal said. "Everyone with different walks of life, races, religions, you have come together to support this team. And you guys did it, you made history. They have guts and grit and determination, and most of all, they worked hard with great coaches. And I would just like to point out the great parents. Thank you for making us proud."

The players were swarmed throughout the event, signing autographs and posing for photos with friends, family and fans.

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— Brian Palazzolo, manager of the Fairfield National Little League team, addresses the crowd at the celebration in the team's honor on Monday at Sherman Green in Fairfield.

On the way to their third-place showing, the team defeated teams from Texas, Hawaii, South Dakota and Nevada. Fairfield ended up losing to the Nevada team in the U.S. Championship game, but then went on to beat Aruba in the Third Place Consolation game.

"I'm sorry," joked Brian Palazzolo, manager of the Fairfield National Little League team, "but I lost my voice about two weeks ago. I've been fortunate enough to have been with these guys for five years now, and they play an incredible brand of baseball. They love coming to practice. We call it work, but they love being there. They are truly one of a kind, and I'm so proud of them."

During the ceremony, Acting First Selectwoman Christine Vitale presented the team with the Key to the Town, and members of Fairfield's state delegation, state Sen. Tony Hwang, and state Reps. Sarah Keitt and Jenn Leeper, also praised the team for its accomplishments.

Congressman Jim Himes also honored the families of the players. "Behind every great team is an amazing family that does the driving, washes the uniforms, that does the character building, so once again, thank you all, but especially, thank you to the moms and dads and sisters and brothers for producing this amazing championship team!"

— Fairfield National Little League President Diego Da Lan addresses the crowd during Monday's celebration in honor of the team's impressive showing at the recent Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. Photo credit: Alfred Branch/Patch

In his remarks, Schools Superintendent Michael Testani gave the team a little treat.

"School starts tomorrow, but you guys have no homework for the first week," Testani said to raucous cheers.

"I understand all the hard work that goes into where you stand today," said Fairfield National Little League President Diego Da Lan. "But I just want to thank you guys for setting the Little League World Series stage on fire, with their awesome pitching, timely hitting, impressive base running, and their stellar defense. "We may not have won the big game, but this team has definitely won the hearts of the community, the state and everyone out there."