June 26, 2024 – Story by Cam Cyr, photos by Joshua Ross
The 11-year-old Hingham summer ball team won the District 8 and Section 2 championships last summer. This year, as 12-year-olds, they will play for a chance to make the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.
This group of 12 players has dominated the District competition thus far, defeating Hanover 12-2 on Saturday and East Braintree 9-0 on Tuesday.
The team will play three more District games. If they are one of the top four teams from their side of the pool, they will advance to the knockout stage that starts on July 2nd.
For Rich Harb, Hingham Little League president and head coach of the Williamsport team, coaching has been one of the best experiences of his life.
“Being around these players, seeing them develop as people, teammates and baseball players, is the most rewarding thing I could imagine,” Harb said.
Harb has coached this age group since the children were 8 years old and has watched them mature. He commends their maturity in the way they warm up, and through their extensive knowledge of advanced baseball strategies and outstanding fundamentals.
“It’s not the biggest group, nor the fastest, nor the strongest,” he said, “They just love baseball, want to be challenged and coached, and have dedicated themselves to realizing their potential.”
Harb, along with assistant coaches Greg Doble and Michael Bizzozero, understands the pressure the players face every game. Many players dream of playing in the Little League World Series. But to keep them sharp, the coaches constantly remind them to “focus on the little things,” and to take it one game at a time.
The team is set to play Norwell tonight at Carlson Field at 5:45 p.m.
