Bucks County Little League team readies for World Series action

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A team of 12-year-olds from Bucks County made it all the way to Williamsport, Pennsylvania for the Little League World Series, and they’re set to hit the field Thursday evening.

After winning the Mid-Atlantic championship last week , Council Rock Newtown Little League will take on the Southwest Region team — Boerne Little League from Texas — starting at 7 p.m.

The Council Rock boys are entering the tournament on a hot streak, winning 18 games straight.

Right-fielder William Siveter said the series is like a trip to a theme park — “like Disney but for baseball,” he said. Even at 12 years old, William and his teammates are inspiring the next generation of ball players.

“I’ve never really thought of myself being famous until a little kid comes up to me and asks, ‘Can I have your autograph?’ And I give it to him and it just makes his day,” he said.

Team manager Brad Hamilton said many showed their support at a parade earlier this week.

“Being from Pennsylvania, the folks that lined the parade were overwhelmingly in support of the Mid-Atlantic group, which was awesome,” he said.

During another parade for all teams in the tournament, Hamilton said Council Rock fans drowned out the competition.

“They’re having fun,” he added. “The crowds are getting bigger now that the games are starting. So it’s been a little overwhelming but at the same time, the boys are still resilient.”

This is the second time in two years that a greater Philadelphia team made it to the tournaments in Williamsport. Last year, it was a team from Media, Delaware County.

The winner of the U.S. tournament will move on to the international championship.