Thursday Send-Off Scheduled for State Champion Little League Team

The 2013 state champion Newton SouthEast Little League team will head to Bristol, Conn., Thursday to do battle for the regional and, if things go well, the national crown.

The City of Newton is coming together to give the team a fitting send-off.

When: Thursday, Aug. 1. The program begins at 9 a.m., but well-wishers are invited to arrive as early as 8:30 a.m. to greet the team.
Where: The grassy area across from Panera Bread in Newton Centre.
What: City officials; Little League administrators; the team members, coaches and parents will gather to send the state champion Newton SouthEast Little League team to Bristol, Conn. A police escort will take the team bus to I-90 at about 10 a.m.
Why: The last Newton team to make it to the regional tournament was Newton North in 1998. This is kind of a big deal.
Who: You! Anyone in Newton who wants to wish the players and coaches well as they head south to represent the state and, if all goes well, the region and then the country (but the coaches are careful to help their players focused on one game at a time).

Dunkin' Donuts will donate coffee and breakfast pastries for the send-off celebration and the team will be selling championship shirts to help off-set some of the costs of the tournament trip.