Sports
Schwartz's Home Run Makes ESPN's Top Plays
The Fairfield American slugger blasted a home run on Monday that was estimated to have traveled 360 feet and Little League officials said it was one of the longest ever hit in the 25-year history of the regional tournament in Bristol
Fairfield American slugger Eddie Schwartz is quickly gaining celebrity status.
His mammoth home run in the first inning of Tuesday's 3-0 victory over Rhode Island in the New England Regionals in Bristol was voted No. 5 on ESPN's top 10 plays of the day.
The game was televised by NESN and Schwartz's blast already has been posted on YouTube.
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The home run, which landed deep in the trees beyond the left-field fence at Breen Field, was estimated to have traveled 360 feet. Little League officials said it was one of the longest balls runs ever hit in the 25-year history of the regional tournament in Bristol.
"Off the bat, I pretty much knew it was gone," Schwartz said. "It wasn't a matter if it was going out, it was a matter of where it was going."
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Because of his size, Schwartz, who turned 13 in the state finals against Glastonbury American, has the classic build of a power hitter. His teammates call him "Big Boy Toy."
Tuesday's home run was the first in the tournament for Schwartz, who is batting .300 (3-for-10).
"At first, it looked like a popup," Schwartz said. "But then it kept carrying and it went over the trees."
Fairfield American, the No. 2 seed, will play in the semifinals on Thursday at 3 p.m. against Rhode Island (2-2), which tied for third in pool with Massachusetts (2-2).
However, the Ocean State champions from Cumberland American earned the No. 3 seed based on a 5-3 win over Yarmouth, Mass.
New Hampshire (4-0) clinched the top seed and finished first in pool play with a 5-2 victory over Massachusetts on Wednesday. The Granite State champions will take on Massachusetts in Thursday's other semifinal at 7 p.m. Both of Thursday's game will be televised on NESN.
The semifinal winners clash on Saturday at 1 p.m. for a spot in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. The championship game will be televised by ESPN2.
After becoming the first team from the town to play in the Little League World Series, Fairfield American is looking to make more history. Since the advent of the New England Regionals in 2000, there never has been a repeat champion.
The last repeat winner in the East was Toms River, N.J., in 1998 and 1999. Toms River, featuring future Major Leaguer Todd Frazier, won the LLWS in 1998.
Nationally, Davenport, Iowa and Owensboro, Ky., made consecutive appearances in the LLWS in 2004 and 2005.
