The little sluggers of Fairfield National received a heroes welcome Monday night as the team returned home from the Little League World Series.
“Being able to come home to such a raucous crowd,” said manager Brian Palazzolo. “It’s really special.”
One of the hottest teams in baseball the past few weeks got to cruise down the Post Road on top of a fire truck.
“I think that’s a childhood dream of all of theirs,” said parent Sara Taxiltaridis. “To be escorted in down the post road on a firetruck.”
Thousands lined the street, waving signs and cheering, as Fairfield National took a well-deserved victory lap.
Coaches and players were mobbed like rockstars when they arrived at Sherman Green, as fans threw hats, balls, and even Crocs for them to autograph.
“I’ll sign for everybody,” Palazzolo says. “The kids that are here are what make Little League special to everybody.”
As the team received a key to the town, the community says the magic these kids unlocked this summer will be remembered forever.
“We’ve had people in their 80s come up and just say that this is something that they’ll remember forever,” Taxiltaridis says. “I think that’s really special to each and every one of us as parents.”
Fairfield National finished third in the world after defeating Aruba in the Little League World Series consolation game.