LYNN — The Lynn Babe Ruth program has achieved something that’s never been done before — and none of this year’s three All-Star teams have even played a state tournament game this year.
Two of the three, age 13 and 15 teams, are top seeds in their age group in Eastern Mass. — a regional that includes the North and South Shores, the City of Boston, Cape Cod, and westward to Framingham.
During recent pool play, both the 13s and 15s were 4-0. Meanwhile, the 14s, who were 3-1, are seeded third.
Each age bracket has 80 teams.
All three teams will be in action, at home at Breed Middle School’s Ben Bowzer Complex, tonight for the first of their single-elimination games. The 15s start off at 5:30 at Clancy Field, which is the one directly behind the concession stand, and will play Taunton. The 13s go off at 6 p.m. at Edmunds Field against Braintree. Edmunds is the one that runs parallel to Fecteau Way at the far end of the complex, across from the Callahan School. The 14s will also play Braintree at 8 on Clancy field.
The winners will play Thursday at home at times to be announced. The state finals for all three games will be Saturday at Adams Field in Quincy.
“I am told by the (state) commissioner (Mike Matanes) that this is the first time that any program has had each of its three teams from each of the three levels host the quarterfinal games on their own fields,” said Lynn Babe Ruth president Jeff Earp. “As he said, Lynn thus far has experienced unparalleled success.
“In an era where most every program has suffered decreasing numbers, we here in Lynn have experienced growth.”
And the success on the field bears that out, Earp said.
“Each of the teams have been working extremely hard,” he said. “The managers and coaches have done an amazing job with the kids, stressing fundamentals and nurturing the proper frame of mind.
“Each of these teams plays with the respect for the game and the city that comes with being a Lynn Babe Ruth All-Star,” he said. “We are hoping for big crowds of support and obviously we all want three victories to propel us to the state semifinals Thursday night.”
