PEABODY- Last Saturday, the game between Peabody and Peabody West encapsulated what the rivalry does for the city; it brings everyone together. Parents and spectators crowded the first baseline and outfield fences throughout the game, cheering each team on
“We have never had a crowd that size. I mean, that was like nothing I have ever seen. It actually brought tears to my eyes to see so many people coming to that game, planning for that game, and hosting that game,” said Peabody Little League President Kristie DeLoreto.
Peabody West’s President Keith Slattery agreed, saying, “That game at MacArthur last Saturday was heart-warming; seeing the community come out in those numbers to celebrate the rivalry was a beautiful thing. Without hyperbole, it was one of the greatest baseball games I have ever seen at any level.”
Even on the field, there is mutual respect between the opposing teams in town, primarily because the players are friends, and baseball is the only sport where Peabody’s kids are split up and play against one another.
“Peabody has some great players to watch. Even the younger kids and the kids from our side of town love going to these games to see Mikey Harris or Pat Prideaux perform because they pitch very well, hit for power, and are fun to watch,” said Slattery.
“Looking at them as a team, sure, that is our rival, but looking at them as players, my son is definitely rooting for his friends. Last year when they went to Bristol, we watched every game on TV and definitely kept track of that,” said DeLoreto.
In the past, the relationship between each program was not the best, but recently, they have collaborated. For DeLoreto, the turning point for collaboration between the two programs was COVID in 2020.
“It was a lot; there was a lot that we had to do. We were the only sport in the City of Peabody that actually held their season; everybody else canceled. We had to work together; there was no way around it,” said DeLoreto.
She added, “I had always said to the former Peabody West president John Horgan COVID kind of brought our leagues together because that was really a huge turning point for us.”
Now a couple of years removed from COVID, current West President Slattery says the cooperation between the two programs has only improved.
“We try to help each other out as much as we can, even in hosting some of these district games. Looking forward to some of the sectional games, I was having talks with their board and their president Kristie DeLoreto to see what we could do to help each other out if there were any shortfalls or staffing issues or things like that,” said Slattery.
He added, “We really work together and communicate a lot.”
Looking ahead, the rivalry between the two Peabody teams is in good hands, with an abundance of talent waiting in the wings and a collaborative effort between the programs.
Regarding the rivalry and matchups between the two teams, Slattery joked, “There have been some heart attacks on either side of the fence,” adding, “But it makes for a lifetime of memories.”
“What happened Saturday night is how it should be. Everybody comes out and cheers on the teams and supports Peabody as opposed to Peabody Little League or West,” said DeLoreto.
