Little League Day

The Ludlowe team with the FALL players postgame (Stacey Scruggs Photo)

It was the second annual Fairfield American Little League (FALL) Day at Kiwanis Field in Fairfield on Wednesday as the Ludlowe baseball team hosted Stamford. 

Prior to the game, the little leaguers joined the Ludlowe team on the field for the National Anthem. Additionally, Seamus O'Neill of the Fairfield American's Red Storm Challenger Division threw out the ceremonial first pitch, caught by Ludlowe's Ben Crawford. 

Seamus O'Neill throwing out the first pitch (Art Cockerham Photo)

Following the game, the little leaguers came onto the field and were able to run the bases and get autographs from the Ludlowe players. 

In addition, the little leaguers, along with the Ludlowe players, were given t-shirts. Multiple designs of "Future Falcon" and a co-branded FALL/Ludlowe Baseball shirt. 

Thank you to everyone who was involved making the day happen. From Phil Veas, who is both a Ludlowe parent and FALL parent and board member, to Ludlowe parents Amy Crawford, Stacey Scruggs, and Jennifer Gibson. Thank you to Brian Markham from FALL Red Storm as well. 

Shoutout as well to Ludlowe head coach Ken Geriak for all his involvement and thank you to Stuart Kagel on the PA announcing. Sorry if I am leaving anyone out. 

There was also the Fire Engine Food Truck which was enjoyed by many. 

On the field, Ludlowe picked up a 5-1 win behind solid pitching from Spencer Bradley and Cooper Seek. At the plate, Gavin McGuire had the game-tying hit in a five-run fifth. The aforementioned Ben Crawford was 2-2 including the go-ahead two-run single. Liam Grady also had a two-run double to give the Falcons some breathing room. 

A great day all around and a special community day! 

FALL Day at Kiwanis

You're all probably sick of me writing about Ludlowe baseball. 

Well, I'm going to again. 

We hosted Fairfield American Little League (FALL) Day for our game vs McMahon on Friday. 

Many people were involved in making the day so great. Special shoutout to Keith Connors from FALL for all his help and organization. Great job as well by Ludlowe baseball parents Amy Crawford, Jennifer Gibson, and Ludlowe head coach Ken Geriak for all their involvement in the day's activities. Sorry if I am not mentioning others who were involved. 

Prior to the game, the Fairfield American players joined the Ludlowe players on the field for the National Anthem. 

The one downside of the day, the sound system did not work well. I tried to do public address for the pre-game announcements and starting lineups. Between my lack of projecting my voice, and the issues with the sound system, I couldn't be heard. I read the first couple paragraphs then we realized in the booth that nobody on the field could hear me. Remind me never to offer again. Thanks to Ben Crawford for taking over and making it work for the pre-game.  

Shoutout to Cristian Connors for his work on the scoreboard. Very much appreciated. 

As far the game, Ludlowe came away with a 4-0 victory behind a complete game from Will Meyers. 

The FALL kids had fun chasing down foul balls and bringing them back to the dugout and competing for who could return the most. 

Following the game, the FALL players came on the field for a meet and greet with the players and players (and coaches) signed baseball's, t-shirts, hats and even bags of seeds for the FALL players. 

The kids were given "Future Falcon" t-shirts and there was the Fire Engine Pizza Truck for all to enjoy. 

There were also some other giveaways, including signed baseballs by the entire team. 

It was a fun community day and I love that a partnership is being built between the Ludlowe Baseball Program and Fairfield American. 

The atmosphere was terrific. There was a vibe all around that was pretty cool. Hope everyone continues to come out and supports Ludlowe baseball! 

Falcon Pride! Never Give Up! 

Fairfield Little League Baseball

Watching though the wind screen because we always make it work and respect space where we are guests.  

Little League baseball was back on Robcasting Radio on Tuesday. 

I was honored to join my friend Rob Adams for Fairfield National and Fairfield American in the final game of district two pool play at Unity Park in Trumbull. 

Fairfield National asked Rob to broadcast it, and well, it's Fairfield related, so I'll often be there. 

We all know how much I love sports involving Fairfield, so a all-Fairfield matchup is very enjoyable. #OneTown 

We have done little league broadcasting for Fairfield American three times, 2018, 2019 and 2020. We also did some National in 2020 after they won district two over American. 

It's been a blast every time. So great getting to know the players, coaches and families. 

Tonight, American came out of top 12-2. Both teams will be playing in the double elimination portion of the district two tournament beginning Friday at Unity. Rob will be back on Friday when National plays Trumbull at 7:30pm. Listen on Robcasting Radio. 

We had to watch the game tonight through the wind screen. We made it work. Like always. We can see enough and Rob was able to look though where two pieces of the wind screen were zip tied to the fence. 

It rained off and on at points in the game, but Rob is prepared and brought a pod to keep the equipment dry. He also had a tarp to keep the power strip hopefully dry. Safety is no accident, you know. #Preparation 

Sure, we got a little wet, but that was fine. Knowing the equipment was dry and safe, the only other real issue was keeping our scorecards as dry and possible so we could: 1) Read what they said and 2) continue to write what was happening; I gave up on my scorecard with an inning to go, to be honest. It was a losing cause. 

Rob trying to keep his scorecard dry. 

I'll be bouncing between a number of things this summer, including little league when I can. My main priority will be the communications work for Fairfield American Legion baseball I am doing. I've also got some basketball coaching. 

After Legion, it's somewhat wide open, little league baseball, Babe Ruth baseball, AAU baseball, anything else I can think of. Basically, if Rob is there, there's a decent chance I will be there at some point if I can. And even things Rob isn't at, I'll go watch and/or cover in some way. 

I also want to watch as many of the Ludlowe baseball guys as I can who are playing on various teams this summer. I'm always going to support those guys especially, as well as all the others playing. 

Here is the full broadcast from tonight. 

Fairfield National Defeats Fairfield American To Win District Two Title

Fairfield National Little League defeated Fairfield American 4-1 to win the 12-year-old District 2 Championship on Tuesday night at Blackham School in Bridgeport. It's the first District title for Fairfield National.

Fairfield American took the first lead of the game in the second inning as Ian Moore connected on a home run to deep left field that was a no-doubter off the bat. 

Fairfield National came right back and tied the game at one in the bottom half of the inning. Henry Vincent led off the inning with a double to right. Two batter later, Dylan McDonald singled to bring in Vincent and tie the game. 

National took the lead in the third. Nick Garofalo reached on an error leading off the inning. Two batters later, with runners at second and third, Vincent grounded out to first base allowing Garofalo to come home and put National up 2-1. They had an opportunity to add on as Nate Jackson hit a fly ball to medium-deep center field and the runner tried to score. He successfully beat the throw home but was called out on appeal for leaving third base too soon. 

Fairfield National was able to extend their lead in the fifth. With two outs and nobody on, Jimmy Dobbs was intentionally walked. That brought up Vincent who drove the first pitch over the left-field fence for a two-run home run to give National a 4-1 lead.

On the mound for National Nick Garofalo was terrific. He threw five innings allowing one run, on one hit - the home run, while walking two and striking out six. Garofalo was named District tournament MVP. Tommy Galvin picked up the save, working around a hit to throw a scoreless sixth. 

Although it came in defeat, Nate Swinford was solid on the mound for American. He threw four and two thirds innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits. He walked three and struck out seven. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I had a blast once again joining Rob Adams on Robcasting Radio for Fairfield American's run. Thank you to the coaches, players and families for all their help and was great to get to know you. Always love covering little league baseball and any sports in Fairfield. Hopefully more with Fairfield National going forward. Either way, it's been fun to cover Fairfield American (and Fairfield National) again. 

Fairfield National Powers Way Past Fairfield American in District 2 Pool Play

Fairfield National's Nate Jackson delivers a pitch during the fifth inning

On the strength of two home runs, Fairfield National Little League defeated Fairfield American 6-3 in pool play of the District 2 tournament on Wednesday night at Blackham School in Bridgeport. 

Fairfield American got off to a strong start, scoring three runs in the first inning. Ian Moore led off the game with a single to center. Four batters later, with runners on first and second, Nate Swineford singled to center to bring in Moore. 

Two batters later, with the bases loaded, Cole Krollman singed to center to bring in Brennan Davis, who had walked, and Swineford to put American up 3-0. 

National came right back in the bottom half of the inning. Nick Garfalo singled with one out, the next batter, Jimmy Dobbs homered to right-center field to cut the American lead to 3-2. 

National would tie the game an inning later. Nate Jackson led off with an infield single to shortstop. After a strikeout, Jake Capola walked and Brady Takacs singled to right to load the bases. The next batter, Garfalo, worked a full-count walk to bring in Jackson and tie the game at three. 

After the three-run first inning, American would be shut down offensively for the remainder of the game, managing just two hits over the final five innings against three National pitchers. Garafolo picked up the win, throwing four innings, allowing three runs on three hits, while striking out six, walking two and hitting one. Jackson threw two-thirds of an inning, bridging the gap to Tommy Galvin, who picked up the save. 

National broke the scoreless tie in the fourth. Galvin reached on a lead-off walk. After back-to-back strikeouts, Garfalo, the left-handed batter, drove all ball to the opposite field that easily cleared the left-field fence and landed on the field on other main field in the complex. 

American had their chances, as they left eight men on base, including leaving the bases loaded in both the fifth and sixth innings. 

National improves to 1-0, American drops to 1-1 in District 2 Pool Play. 

Here's the broadcast as Rob Adams and I had the call on Robcasting Radio. 

Broadcasting Fairfield American Little League (With links to the broadcasts)

Team Pic (FA/Twitter) 

I had the pleasure of joining Rob Adams for some little league baseball this past week.

Rob was asked by people with Fairfield American to broadcast the District 2 tournament at Unity Park in Trumbull. He asked me if I wanted to join him. On Monday we saw Fairfield American play Fairfield National. You can listen to that game here.

Then on Wednesday, Rob saw Fairfield American play Trumbull National (I couldn't make that game).

Finally, today, we saw Fairfield American play Trumbull National in the district two championship. FALL defeated Trumbull 12-2 to advance to the Section 1 tournament.


Being a huge advocate for sports in the town of Fairfield, and also being a huge baseball fan, I was more than excited to be part of the broadcasts. I always enjoy following the runs that FALL makes, but having covered some this year, it will be even more enjoyable to follow their progress.

There were plenty of people at the games that I knew. Current and former campers (Both FFLD American and National), Ludlowe baseball players, and many other people from town.

Fairfield American advances to the Section 1 Tournament in Stamford. They will face Weston, the winner of District 1, on Tuesday at 7pm. The other team in the tournament is

Follow me or Rob and Robcasting Radio on Twitter to see what games might be broadcasted. You can also follow along with Fairfield American on their Twitter feed.