To the Editor:

On behalf of the Newtown Renegades, thank you [to the Newtown community] all for your tremendous support of our journey that began at the District 5 tournament in Southbury and ended at the Cal Ripken 10U World Series in Ocala, Florida. Your overwhelming generosity and heartfelt good wishes inspired us all – coaches, players, brothers, sisters, parents, families and fans.

For us, the road to Ocala started back in the spring. Our refrain – “We're not done yet!” – was coined during the Connecticut state tournament, where we won six straight to claim the championship title. That refrain carried us through a sweep of the New England regional tournament and on to a World Series berth.

We couldn't be prouder of our ballplayers and how they conducted themselves during this tournament season. Each and every one displayed true sportsmanship and a deep appreciation for the game. They met each event and interaction with humility and age appropriate awe. These thirteen young men represented the best of Newtown.

For them and for their families, we would like to extend the following special thanks.

To our Newtown baseball community for being our biggest fans, and our fellow sports organizations – Newtown Football & Cheer, Newtown Lacrosse, and the Newtown Youth Basketball Association – for teaming with us in this incredible pursuit.

To the local business who supported our fund raising efforts – Berkshire Motors for hosting our car wash; Holy Cow Ice Cream Shop and Newbury Place for sponsoring team events and donating a portion of their sales; All-Star Batting, Dick's Sporting Goods, Gayle's Family Hair Cutting Studio, and Nelson Roofing & Siding for donating to our travel fund; and Blue Colony Diner, Dunkin Donuts, and Starbucks for letting us pass the hat outside their storefronts.

To Bob Parker and Domino's Pizza for providing us with a team dinner our first night in Ocala, and Pat Llodra for sending an encouraging message of congratulations that was read during the opening night banquet.

To the Labor Day Parade Committee for inviting us to participate in this year's event, Stephen Paproski of Castle Hill Farm for graciously loaning us his hay wagon to decorate and ride on in style, and Gary Seri of Panino's for throwing us the ultimate pizza party afterwards.

And to every one of you who sent congratulations and offered words of encouragement, it meant the world to know we had such a great team cheering us on.

The Newtown Renegades embarked on a dream journey this summer. We had no idea how far it would go, or what a fun ride it would be. Thank you for coming along.

Sincerely,

Jim Robinson, Manager

Joe Rios, Assistant Coach

Adam Taylor, Assistant Coach

Newtown Baseball

PO Box 133, Newtown              September 4, 2013